can you spell?

i watched part of the spelling bee at work today.. it's just so cute how nervous/disappointed/ecstatic these kids get. sadly, i knew only one of the words right off the bat - raita. yes, an indian yogurt dish that i've been eating since i was a baby is the only word i knew i knew how to spell... the others were just guesses, not so much educated ones. i love how much attention it all has started to get though. but one question... how was the runner-up a girl from alberta, canada? is that allowed? i don't have anything against the canucks, but isn't this the national spelling bee?