I don't know how old these kids are, so I may just be being a heartless dick here, but, paraphrased from the AIC and Spelling Bee of Canada Ontario Senior Championships just now:
PRONOUNCER: Your word is "regale".
KID: Could I have the definition, please?
PRONOUNCER: (gives the definition)
KID: Could you use it in a sentence?
PRONOUNCER: (does so)
KID: Could you repeat the word?
PRONOUNCER: "Regale."
KID: "Regale." R-I-G-A-L-E.
JUDGE: Incorrect.
(Kid leaves. Next kid, who was in line, on stage, during all of this, comes up to the mic.)
PRONOUNCER: Kid #2, your word is "regale".
KID #2: Could I have the definition please?
PRONOUNCER: (gives same definition)
KID #2: Could you use it in a sentence?
PRONOUNCER: (gives exact same sentence)
KID #2: Is it a proper noun?
PRONOUNCER: (beat) ...No.
KID #2: "Regale". ... Could you repeat the word?
PRONOUNCER: "Regale."
KID #2: "Regale." R-E-G-A-I-L-L-E.
JUDGE: Incorrect.
(Kid #3 comes up.)
PRONOUNCER: Kid #3, your word is "regale."
KID #3: "Regale." R-E-G-A-L-E.
JUDGE: Correct.
Of course, while I was writing this, I watched the word "trestle" demolish like fifteen kids in a row, many of whom asked for repetitions of the word, the definition, its use in a sentence, and subsequently used a spelling that a previous kid tried and failed.
Still, I feel kind of bad for some of these kids' luck... how are words like "overbearing" and "regale" in the same category as words like "coterie" and "batik"? I also got suckered by "tenement" but mainly because the pronouncer was saying it like "tannament". I blame subtle Canadian accents.