Amelia 'Bindi' Ray: A Young Champion Overcoming Adversity

Amelia 'Bindi' Ray: A Young Champion Overcoming Adversity

Amelia “Bindi” Ray found herself on her Florida lawn in tears as neighbors carried away her toys, a poignant scene marked by the family's financial challenges. Her mother, Dr. Sandhini Ray, explained that they couldn’t afford a storage space large enough to hold 30 years of cherished memories stored in their family home. The words of reassurance from her mother, “We’ll make everything back someday,” initially offered a glimmer of hope before they returned to their Baltimore County apartment.

This moment encapsulated a turbulent period for the Ray family, who have been grappling with profound losses — the passing of both Bindi’s father and grandmother. In 2023, they relocated to Maryland to be closer to Bindi’s older brother, a transition marked by frequent flights to clear out their former home.

In the midst of these changes, Bindi was thrust into in-person schooling for the first time, which brought its own set of challenges. Initially, she felt too frightened to walk to her classroom by herself. However, now in fifth grade at Riderwood Elementary School, the once shy girl is making strides, having made new friends, performed in a play, and even modeled in an environmental-themed fashion show.

Recently, Bindi gained national attention as the youngest competitor from Maryland in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Her determination and resilience led her to triumph over numerous spellers in school and regional competitions, earning her an opportunity to test her spelling prowess against peers from across the country.

The upcoming spelling bee, commencing Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, marks the culmination of a transformative journey for Bindi and her mother. Their bond is strengthened through daily reading sessions, begun even before Bindi was born, which continued during the dreary days of COVID-19 when Dr. Ray, a frontline healthcare worker, was physically separated from her children. Storytime shifted to FaceTime, but the love for words endured.

Dr. Ray instilled in Bindi an understanding that “words are everywhere,” often during nature walks where they explored the meanings of various terms found in their environment. "Knowledge is in every corner if you keep your eyes and heart and mind open,” Dr. Ray remarked, sharing the philosophy that nurtured Bindi’s curiosity and learning.

During one of their walks, as Dr. Ray struggled with her grief, Bindi introduced a creative coping mechanism known as the “Just be Glad” game, inspired by the character Sara from the book “A Little Princess.” This game encourages looking for things to feel grateful for, a practice that has helped both mother and daughter navigate their emotional landscape together.

As Bindi settled into her school environment, she eagerly joined a spelling bee club, expressing a willingness to explore new interests. This year, under the guidance of J. Heather Buchman, the club's teacher, she has shown immense passion and a zest for learning, being recognized as a mature and deeply inquisitive student who excels in all subjects.

Buchman commented on Bindi’s impressive grasp of complex science vocabulary, crediting the influence of her mother’s profession as a medical director. “Science is basically one big explanation of how the world works,” Bindi noted, revealing her favorite word, “chlorofluorocarbon,” which showcases her advanced knowledge.

In a surprising turn of events during her schoolwide spelling bee, Bindi unexpectedly qualified as one of the top ten contestants. With less than a weekend to prepare, Bindi, motivated by her mother’s encouragement, devoted ten hours to studying, which ultimately paid off as she and another student won the competition, moving on to the regional level.

This year’s regional bee was unique, hosted online to accommodate varying family schedules. Despite the evident curveballs, including learning to type for the competition, the two dedicated hours of practice each weekend and nightly study sessions led to 34 correct answers out of 35, although the perceived failure weighed heavily on Bindi's shoulders.

With a mother’s consolation and some fast-food treats afterward, Bindi did not allow disappointment to overshadow her accomplishments. A few weeks later, a joyous email arrived from the Maryland Sports Commission confirming she had won the regionals and qualified for the Scripps National Spelling Bee — a moment that brought tears of joy from both her teacher and mother.

This journey of overcoming obstacles has fostered a sense of resilience in Bindi. Cards with challenging words are displayed throughout their apartment, creatively turning their home into an informal classroom. Dr. Ray has noted that the complexity of the words poses an incredible challenge for both of them, yet they attack study sessions with enthusiasm and effort.

As the competition approaches, the stakes are high: spellers can be as old as 15, with tough, returning contenders like Quint Karlsson, a 13-year-old with last year's experience under his belt. The preliminary rounds will be broadcast live, with substantial prizes for both quarterfinalists and semifinalists.

Though Dr. Ray and Bindi are not aiming for victory this year, they are determined to come back stronger next year. “At this point, she’s already a champion, having come this far,” said Dr. Ray, proudly watching her daughter prepare, who has even jokingly set aside a plan for her potential cash prize—$100 toward more McDonald’s Happy Meals, a symbol of their love for celebration amidst their journey of healing.

This evolving story is more than just about a spelling bee; it reflects resilience in the face of adversity, celebrating the joy of learning and the strength found in family bonds.