The focus of a spelling bee is on the correct spelling of the word, not its capitalization.
Here's why:
* Consistency: Capitalization rules vary between languages and even within a single language (think of proper nouns vs. common nouns). Spelling bees are about the core spelling of words, not their specific usage in a sentence.
* Focus: The focus is on the student's ability to spell the word accurately. Capitalization adds an unnecessary layer of complexity.
* Fairness: It would be unfair to penalize a student for not capitalizing a word if they spelled it correctly otherwise.
So, feel free to spell your words in a spelling bee without worrying about capitalization!