While watching Vampira-style horror movie hostess Booberella on television, Bart realizes summer is almost over. Determined to squeeze an entire summer of carefree fun into one day, Bart wins a baseball game, appears in a summer stock play and enjoys a romance. When Bart and his fellow students return to school, Principal Skinner announces he’s getting the year rolling with an all-school spelling bee. It isn’t long before Lisa takes a commanding lead and is named the school champion. Skinner informs her that she’ll be representing the school in the upcoming state spelling finals. The other children cheer her name. Meanwhile, Homer take an interest in a commercial featuring Krustyburger’s latest menu item, the Krusty Ribwich sandwich.

When Lisa returns home, she tells Marge that she was actually applauded for being smart. Meanwhile, Homer travels to a nearby Krustyburger, where he orders the new sandwich he saw advertised on television. His reaction is orgasmic. As the state spelling finals get underway, Marge realizes that Lisa has her own cheering section. Eventually, Lisa wins the championship and is awarded a trophy. Meanwhile, Homer returns to Krustyburger for another Ribwich, only to learn that the sandwich was available for a limited time only. A customer, who turns out to be a “Ribhead,” informs Homer that the restaurant is testing the sandwich in other markets, and he and his fellow “Ribheads” travel about the country so they can continue eating the delicious meal.

Meanwhile, as Lisa makes her way through town, she’s cheered on by townspeople. Lisa thanks them, and states that she’s never felt so accepted. Later, Lisa heads for the Spellympics, which is hosted by George Plimpton. As the competition reaches its conclusion, only three children remain: Lisa, a cute boy named Alex, and a Korean girl, Sun Moon. Plimpton announces to the audience that the champion will be crowned the following day. But in private, he tells Lisa that the competition has fallen on hard times and needs a charismatic champion like Alex. He offers Lisa a scholarship to the “seven sisters” college of her choice if she intentionally loses. Lisa gasps, as it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Lisa is tormented by the opportunity at hand. She doesn’t want to throw the contest, yet realizes it’s unlikely that her family can afford to send her to a good college.

Meanwhile, Homer travels to San Francisco with the other Ribheads so he can feast on more Ribwiches. Krusty makes an unexpected appearance. He tells the group that the animal the sandwiches are made from is now extinct, and as a result, there will be no more Ribwiches. Homer realizes he’s holding the last of the Ribwiches in his hands. When an Italian man offers his car in exchange for the sandwich, Homer suddenly remembers it’s Lisa’s big day. He gives the Italian man the sandwich and drives off in his car. Later, he stands up in the Spellympics auditorium and tells Lisa that he didn’t forget. Lisa then informs the crowd that she was asked to take a dive…and announces she won’t do it. But she accidentally misspells the next word and loses. Later, when Lisa returns home, a crowd of well- wishers greets her, as her second place win is still considered big news. Mayor Quimby tells Lisa he’s got a surprise for her, and points to Mount Springfield, which now features her likeness.