By Bill Straub
Scripps Howard News Service
Tino Cusi Delamerced is hanging tough at the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.
The 13-year-old seventh grader from The Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati properly spelled his first word in the semi-final round -- "pleurisy,'' an inflammation of the chest cavity -- assuring himself of a position in the next round.
It wasn't easy. Twice Tino asked for the origin of the word -- originally Greek then Latin, French and English -- and the definition. He was rebuffed if the word came from the Latin meaning very.
But in the end he persevered and continued the quest to become the first Cincinnati-area speller to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is being held for the 82nd time. Tino also is trying to best the record of his sister, who finished 25th in last year's Bee.
Tino is sponsored by WCPO-TV, Channel 9 in Cincinnati. WCPO is owned and operated by the E.W. Scripps Co., the company that sponsors the Bee.
