Oddjack continues its rundown of the major forces in the 2005 National Spelling Bee, which kicks off June 1…

Joseph F. Sheperd, Speller No. 59
Sponsor:
The Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, Georgia

Age:
13, seventh grade

School:
Home School, Waynesboro, Georgia

Bio:
Joe participated in the Georgia Geographic Bee and in state-level Mathcounts competition. He won first place in a 4-H forestry contest. His interests include developing outdoor survival skills, tracking, and hunting. Joe participated in the 2002, 2003, and 2004 national finals, tying for 47th place in 2004.

Oddjack Intangibles: Joe is gritty. He’s quick. He loves to throw around gerund phrases and has tatooed “Lexicon” in gang-script on his belly. If Joe gets put in a corner, he’s a snarling beast who will not be put down lightly.

Projected Odds: 16-1

Scripps National Spelling Bee [Spellingbee.com]