It is widely known that U.S. youth spend vastly more time texting friends or stealing cars in video games than reading books or studying for class. This trend — started by our generation — has led to the freefall of U.S. educational rankings in comparison to the world’s other prominent nations.

This general laziness has caused a sharp decline in the perceived value of education. We, as a nation, have come to accept — or at least openly acknowledge — this sad fact without making true strides to rectify it on a macro scale.

But last Thursday night provided me with a shred of hope as I watched some of the country’s most intelligent young minds compete in the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Every year, the E.W. Scripps Company, a large newspaper publisher, provides the opportunity for students in eighth grade and below to spell their way to the coveted trophy and nearly $40,000 in scholarships and prizes. This year, a record 293 students qualified for the national event in Washington, D.C.

In the mercilessly cutthroat competition — where kids are ousted by being just a single letter off — a remarkable display of skill was demonstrated as the last seven competitors went 16 words without an elimination. After 12 grueling rounds, the final three battled for the top spot. Eventually, Kavya Shivashankar, a former three-time top-10 finisher from Olathe, Kansas, was the last one standing.

Unfortunately, these bright children do not accurately represent the majority or average of today’s youth. But, in reality, the strength of our nation’s cerebral power is defined not by the mediocre middle, but by the quality of the very best outliers. The great advancements made throughout history are measured by the achievements of the greatest individuals, not the relatively static power of groups.

These kids are the future achievers that will set our country apart.

As one of my friends was quick to point out, spelling is not exactly an applicable talent in the real world. But these kids are not simply memorizing words. They have dedicated massive amounts of time to studying the Greek, Latin, French, Hungarian (or other) roots of words. This intricate understanding of the etymology, or history of language, is what allows them to piece together the puzzle that is presented before them in the form of a single word.

Furthermore, it is not necessarily the application of this knowledge that will help them out most in the future, but rather the enactment of their developed skill of passionate dedication to a goal that will propel them to success.

Instead of relying on a broken system to teach them what they need to know, these kids and their parents have taken their personal educational development into their own hands, attempting to fix the problem on a micro, individual level.

Even more encouraging is that the competitors are shying away from the mold of a stereotypical “nerd.” They recognize that happy and flourishing lives are dependent upon interpersonal skills — as well as intelligence — and have made efforts to maintain a balanced, well-rounded life. Many of the finalists spent time entertaining the crowd with their gregarious personalities as they stood on stage in front of millions of viewers — not a small task for anyone, let alone a champion speller.

As President Obama called upon a nation of “more nerds” Friday, I think he, as well as the rest of us, can feel more at ease knowing that these “nerds” are ready to lead us through the intellectual obstacles of our future, and that they will be able to effectively communicate their intelligence to those of us who cannot spell “Laodicean” — the winning word — without spell check.

Reach columnist Jeff Dickson at opinion@dailyuw.com.