For almost twenty years, Corrie and Paul Loeffler have been key figures at Bee Week. Paul serves as the Bee’s TV analyst, a role he has held since 2006, while Corrie is the executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Corrie works on the Bee year-round as the executive director, while Paul, outside of Bee Week, is a sports announcer and hosts a syndicated radio show highlighting World War II veterans.
Both siblings are former spellers themselves. Paul mentioned, “I participated once, and she excelled in spelling because she participated three times and came close to winning.” This marks Corrie’s 30th year being at the national finals in some capacity.
Their mom played a significant role in supporting their spelling journeys starting from their childhood days in Central California.
Paul fondly remembers their mom motivating him with baseball cards to study, saying, “I would receive a pack of baseball cards for studying an hour. She always had a bigger vision. She was patient and encouraging, never pressuring us but urging us to dream big.”
Although Corrie doesn’t recall being bribed to study, her older brother noted that she was always the more focused speller.
Scripps Spelling Bee
Behind the scenes at the Scripps National Spelling Bee
4:45 PM, May 27, 2024
They acknowledged that the words have become more challenging since their time as spellers. Corrie mentioned, “We’ve had to delve deeper into the dictionary to find words for a champion – these kids are extremely prepared.”
In 2019, the Spelling Bee concluded after midnight with eight co-champions. In 2022, the final two participants engaged in the first-ever spell-off to determine the winner.
As seasoned Bee Week participants, what’s their favorite part of the week? For Corrie, it’s the moment after a winner is crowned when the kids celebrate in the Bee Week Bash, singing “We Are the Champions,” a moment that always moves her to tears.
Paul’s favorite part is getting to know the spellers off-camera, along with their families, witnessing the dedication each family has invested in their children, which motivates him. Both siblings are occupied throughout the week but manage to maintain their sibling rivalry.
“If we were in a competition now, she would definitely win,” Paul humorously admitted.
