Diego Gallegos on the Love of Reading

By Nylda Dieppa

 

“ I just really couldn’t imagine my life without reading.” Diego Gallegos

 

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing my eleven-year-old grandson Diego Gallegos about his Orange County Regional Spelling Bee win, his love of reading, and how reading has impacted his life. This was the first time that he had reflected on his story of learning to read and the influences on his love of books. In an informal chat afterwards, he reflected further on my previous questions and realized his family’s impact on his learning to read (he wasn’t born reading, as he previously felt!). You’ll notice I used a few big words in my questions, which Diego took in stride, as befits someone with his “amassed knowledge of words.”

 

Well, hello, Diego. Congratulations on being one of the winners of the Orange County Regional Spelling Bee.

Thank you.

How old were you and what grade and school were you going to when you won the spelling bee?

I was 11 years old, and I was going to 5th grade at Lakemont Elementary in Winter Park, Florida at the time.

How do you feel about your experience winning the Orange County Regional Spelling Bee and representing the state of Florida at the National Spelling Bee in Washington?

It was a great experience, and it was truly … it was once in a lifetime. It was just an amazing experience and being able to represent Florida was a really cool factor. My only regret is that I couldn’t make it further.*

I’m curious to know, when did you learn to read?

I don’t know when I learned to read. It feels like it’s always been like something that I can do …as easy as breathing, basically.

Wow. And how did you become so proficient in spelling?

I think probably it was because of how much I read, and because I read so much, I was reading bigger books and when you read bigger books, you also start to maybe learn. Learn a few, well, a few pretty big words. And then I also was reading some old literature and that really helped. Really, really, really helped advance my vocabulary.

So how has reading changed your life?

Well, if I hadn’t been reading, then I definitely wouldn’t have just had that amazing experience of going to the Scripps National Spelling Bee [in Washington, DC]. Actually, probably would never have known that it existed because I hadn’t known that it had existed until I was going to it. And on top of that, I think reading has also helped me advance in school. And I just really couldn’t imagine my life without reading.

How does it affect the way you relate to your friends and family?

I think it mainly is the same, just maybe I’m able to express myself a bit better using my amassed knowledge of words.

Oh, nice.

Is there someone in your life that inspired you to read or provided the motivation to read?

No, I don’t think so. Like I said, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading a lot, so I guess, just me.

And where did those books that you read come from?

My family, probably. Yeah, my family.

So I guess your family provided the support you needed.

Yeah.

Yeah. And who’s your favorite author?

James Ponti.

Any particular book of his?

My favorite book of James Ponti was City Spies.

So I heard that you built your own reading nook in your bedroom closet. What motivated you to do that?

Well, I mean, I saw the empty space. I wanted to make a nook, and it just seemed like it was a perfect fit. Yeah, yeah, it was nice and cozy. It was pretty easy to access and yet also easy to shut out the world.

Oh, and shutting out the world was your motivation?

Uh-huh

How does it feel to read in your nook?

Well, I mean, it’s always great to just read, in general, but then like pair that with being cozy and comfortable while you’re reading, and it’s, it’s just perfect.

Do you think every person should have their own special reading space?

Well, I mean, some people don’t like reading, which I think is a real shame, but not everybody’s the same, so, if you like reading as much as I do, I think it’s a great thing to have, hands down, but it’s not necessary.

What are you hoping to accomplish next?

Well, I’m hoping to come back to the Scripps National Spelling Bee next year and hopefully win or at least make it further than this year.

Wonderful. Thank you so much.

You’re welcome.

*NOTE: Unfortunately, Diego was eliminated in the third round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. Not bad for an elementary school participant competing with middle schoolers!

Listening to this interview I realized how important adult modeling and encouragement of reading skills are for young children to develop a healthy love of reading. Diego is one of the lucky kids whose family had the educational background and economic resources to nurture his love of reading since birth. Not all kids have this privilege and opportunity and so are left behind in their education and personal development. Please help Florida Writers Foundation support programs that help those kids here.

___

This article was updated to correct the information about participating grade levels. High schoolers don’t participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Participants are from elementary and middle schools.