It was at least 10 years ago when I got roped into being the pronouncer at The Roanoke Times Regional Spelling Bee. Many memorable students have crossed that stage since then.

From Bath County to Bland County, 17 more will be spelling Saturday morning at the 41st annual regional bee. One of those is Saumya Sharman, 13, who moved to Radford with her family last year.

Her dad, Sanjay Sharman, told me she’s an 8th grader at John Dalton Intermediate School. This is her first regional spelling bee in Virginia, but not her first regional bee. She competed in the Arkansas state bee in 2012.

Saumya has interests that go beyond spelling. When she grows up she wants to be a doctor. But there are a few things she intends to punch off a checklist before high school ends. One is completing a trilogy.

At 12, she self-published her first novel “The Ultimate Decision,” which is on sale at Barnes and Noble stores in this region and on Amazon.com. The hardback version sells for $25; a paperback copy goes for $15 and the Kindle version costs $4.

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