Towards the beginning of this story, Akeelah was just a normal schoolgirl.
Well, normal meaning that she went to school just like everybody. Although,she wasnt doing quite well in her studies. First of all, she hardly ever turnedin half of her homework! The teachers at Crenshaw certainly didnt have acrave at all for Akeelahs ridiculous study habits. Next, she was accused ofskipping classes which of course, she did but claimed she only skipped thephysical education, or PE classes. True, on her tests she would excel everytime. Akeelah would never miss a spelling word and would constantly get a big,red A+ marked on her paper. Unfortunately, her attendance wasnt desired,as she was tardy almost every day.
Akeelah Anderson was not a very polite girl towards her classmates orfamily members. It was her way whether you liked it or not. If it was hard,Akeelah wouldnt want to do it; if it was easy, shed take it into consideration.
She had an attitude that wasnt proper and was disliked. The way she talked,slang and all, made the teachers around her get second thoughts about her.
She was always described as having potential but not having any desire ineducation. She failed, at the beginning, to learn that school should alwayscome up first before winning any spelling bee. Akeelah Anderson, in myopinion, gave up too many times even though the people who fought for herto win cheered her on.
During the spelling bee at her school, Akeelah would easily get distractedfrom people who would tease her. She didnt know how to stand up forherself but just fought instead of solving the conflict with good manners.
She learns how to stand up for herself when her brother says to her, CmonAkeelah, do the spelling bee for Dad. Akeelah first refuses