S-P-E-L-L your way to Washington DC

19 January 2007

S-P-E-L-L your way to Washington DC

Year 9 students with a penchant for spelling will have the chance to represent New Zealand at the 80th Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States later this year.

This year will be the third year that New Zealand is represented at the US Spelling Bee and Janet Lucas, event manager of the New Zealand National Spelling Bee 2007 – supported by the New Zealand Listener - says it is exciting seeing the event grow this year.

“Spelling bees are a wonderful reminder of the time when people, not computers, had to know how to spell. Last year’s US Final screened live on prime TV by ABC giving it the same status as Super Bowl instantly dispelling any notions that spelling is boring and nerdy,” she says.

Spellers have summer to study a word list of 300 words to help them prepare for their regional competition.

“One of the benefits for every year 9 student participating in the Spelling Bee is that they will learn to correctly spell a whole lot of new words which will be a great way to start their college years,” says Janet.

“It is also an opportunity for students to participate in a fun event and show off their spelling prowess.”

Pamela Stirling, Editor of the New Zealand Listener, says it is pleased to support the event, which she describes as both educationally stimulating and a compelling form of entertainment.

The other supporters are Plunket, ZM, Franklin Electronic Publishers and the Beige Brigade.

As well as the main prize of a return trip for two to Washington DC, there are airfares to the Final in Wellington on 24 March, Franklin electronic dictionaries, tuition at the Kip McGrath Education Centres, subscriptions to the New Zealand Listener and Beige Brigade supporter gear.

The New Zealand National Spelling Bee 2007 is open to all Year 9 students under the age of 16 and eligible for a passport.

The US Spelling Bee is the world's longest run academic competition and has been held more times than the Academy Awards. In America it attracts more than nine million competitors hopeful of winning a place in the championship final.

The competition, inspired by the American Oscar-nominated movie documentary Spellbound, is overseen by a charitable trust.

For information about competition dates, registration, study and the rules, go to www.spellingbee.co.nz.

ENDS

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