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Why I’m Still Traumatized from Winning My 5th Grade Geography Bee
Most “normal” kids would have savored this experience and worn it like a boss. But not me…
Many fans of 1990s sitcoms might recall that episode of Full House where Stephanie competes in her school’s spelling bee. Convinced she was going to claim victory, she loses the competition to Davey Chu — and subsequently challenges him to a rematch in the Tanners’ living room. Stephanie loses, again… this time with her own father, Danny, as the judge.
Right after Davey heads home, Stephanie throws a mini-tantrum. Danny tells her that she’s being a sore loser. But Stephanie admits she isn’t actually mad at Davey; she’s mad at herself for failing to be the best. And, as the Very Special Lesson of the episode, Danny reassures his daughter that good sportsmanship and trying her best is what’s really important… not necessarily the achievement of winning per se.
Incidentally, this episode originally aired only a few weeks before I competed in my school’s geography bee, midway through my Fourth Grade year.
As much as I wanted to win it, I was determined NOT to be Stephanie Tanner.
