Search for New Zealand Spelling Champion

Search for New Zealand Spelling Champion

Spellers may register now for the first ever New Zealand Spelling Bee. The competition is open to Year 9 students. Registration details can be found at http://www.spellingbee.co.nz/. New Zealand’s top young speller will travel to the United States to compete in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington DC later this year.

Janet Lucas, Event Manager, New Zealand Spelling Bee, says this is the first time a New Zealand student has been granted entry into this prestigious event.

“The competition is a really exciting opportunity for students to participate in a fun event and show off their spelling prowess.

“Further, the winner will win a trip for two to represent New Zealand at the US Final along with about 265 other qualifying competitors,” says Janet.

The Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee, now into its 78th year, was featured in the US documentary movie, Spellbound.

“It is a huge event in the United States with cable sports network, ESPN, broadcasting the finals.

“While the Final is competitive, the New Zealand Spelling Champion can expect to have a great week in Washington DC. The competitors all receive prizes and participate in a wide range of activities and social events,” says Janet.

The New Zealand competition is administered by a charitable trust and its principal sponsor is The Independent Business Weekly.

There will be regional competitions held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin in the latter half of March. The two top-finalists from each region win their airfares to travel to Wellington to compete in the 2005 New Zealand Spelling Bee Final in Wellington on 2 April.

It is an oral competition conducted in rounds until only one speller remains.

“Spelling in front of an audience is a nail-biting affair for both the competitors and the audience. We expect the Competition to be hard fought. Potential contestants should begin study as soon as possible,” says Janet.

For information about competition dates, registration, study and the rules, go to http://www.spellingbee.co.nz/
. The deadline for registration is 4 March 2005.

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