Matthew Evans has been busier than many children his age.

The 13-year-old from Taylor Ranch has been busy preparing himself for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The Bee is the largest and longest-running in the nation. It starts today in Washington, D.C. and concludes on May 30. “I study four to five hours a day,” the home-schooled eighth grader said. “I have always loved this competition and keep pushing myself hard. I know if I don’t study, I won’t win, so I study hard.”

Evans, his father Randy, who is executive director of finance for Rio Rancho Public Schools, his mother Helen and his sister Hannah flew in to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. on Saturday.

Evans’ family is proud of him.

“I am proud of what he has accomplished, especially his diligence in working toward a goal,” Helen Evans said. “I am proud of him, whether he wins or not. He has shown a lot of perseverance.”

Through Tuesday, Evans and his 287 opponents will take the computer portion of the spelling bee. Contestants receive 50 words, but only 25 count toward the score. Then, on Thursday each contestant gets a word on stage. If the contestant answers correctly, the contestant receives three points. The top 100 contestants advance.

Since he won the Albuquerque Journal Spelling Bee at Sandia Preparatory School in March, Evans has been intensely studying words in the dictionary and his secret lists to get ready for the spelling bee where he will compete against 287 children across the country and Canada.

Evans went through the Webster’s unabridged dictionary and highlighted all the words he was not confident in spelling. He made documents on the computer, synchronized with his voice. He said he quizzes himself on at least 2,500 words daily.

His mother Helen studies lists with him and he also stays in contact with fellow competitors through the Internet. Evans said they enjoy quizzing each other.

Quizzing each other on spelling over Instant Messenger takes creativity. So, the feisty spellers send the pronunciation of the word to one another and they have to spell the word.

Though Evans uses innovative techniques, he still relies on one of the traditional methods of studying spelling n reading.

Evans is an avid reader and said he is currently reading Richard Adams’ “Watership Down”.

The humble Evans does not take all of the credit for his success.

“I would not be here without the help of my family the past eight years,” Evans said. “My mom is my spelling coach and she helps me learn. My dad is my motivational coach. He gives me inspirational quotes. My sister has been helpful, too. She does some of my chores so I can study. I would not have the talent, if it were not for the Lord.”

The competition will be fierce, but Evans has an advantage. The five-time regional champion is the highest-ranked returner to the National Championship. Evans finished sixth last year.

Once in Washington, Evans said he will study a little more, but he also enjoys having fun in the capital.

The Bee’s organizers have several events lined up for the participants.

There’s a pizza party on Monday and a barbecue at Turkey Run Park in McLean, Va.

The participants get to meet one another and several friendships are made.

Evans does not have any superstitions, but he does have a pre-event meal.

The night before the Bee, because he and his family go to his favorite restaurant n legal seafood.

Evans is ready to sink his teeth into his brain food, a nice plate of wild Alaskan salmon. But, the waitress does not let him order the meal, just by saying “salmon.” No, to keep Matthew sharp, she makes him spell his order.

He also carries a Bible verse in his pocket during the competition. Evans says this reminds him that the Lord is with him. This year’s Bible verse is his late grandmother’s favorite verse: Isaiah 41-10.

Evans takes his spelling seriously and enjoys working hard. But, he also knows how to relax and have a good time.

When he’s not poring over his lists or sinking his teeth into the dictionary, Evans enjoys hiking, camping, playing basketball, playing board games and riding roller coasters.

Matthew and his dad Randy have ridden several roller coasters all across the nation, including the Georgia Cyclone and Batman at Six Flags over Georgia. They visited the theme park in Austell, Ga. last year when Matthew was invited to speak at Beulah Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga.

Evans won the Readers Digest Word Power Challenge in Orlando, Fla. and a $25,000 scholarship in 2007.

Though Evans does not know where he wants to use the scholarship at yet, he said he does want to be a pastor.

Matthew enjoys reading the Bible and sharing the gospel with others.

In addition to being a pastor, Matthew also wants to write books. He and his family attend Sagebrush Community Church in Albuquerque.

The Scripps Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational promotion, administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company and 280 sponsors from English speaking countries, and is the most popular spelling competition in the world.

The semifinals will be aired on ESPN from 9 a.m. to noon on May 30. The championship finals will be aired on ABC from 8 to 10 p.m. on May 30.

Check local TV listings for Albuquerque air times.

For real time results, visit spelling bee.com.