It was the best Scripps National Spelling Bee finish since at least 1996 for a Nevadan (when the competition started keeping records) when 13-year-old Tussah Heera of Las Vegas valiantly tried spelling the word “herniorrhaphy”- a surgical procedure used to fix hernias. The double letters gave her a challenge and instead of spelling it with a double “r” she used one, finishing the contest in 11th place.
Heera, who is home schooled, distinguished herself in March, too, when she beat 36 other students to win the Nevada state title and earned a trip to Washington, D.C., competing against 292 other top spellers.
Heera does more than spell well. She plays piano and cello and has been honored in local competitions for both her performance and her composition. She also writes poetry.
Las Vegas Backstage Access honors Tussah Heera- she’s our winner!
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 