WVMS spelling bee winners advance to regional Scripps Bee in March
It may not be spring yet, but it is definitely bee season… Regional Spelling Bee season, that is!
Throughout February and March, Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Partners are hosting competitions across the country that will determine which spellers from their local areas will move on to compete in the National Bee. OU BOCES happens to be one of those regional partners, and will be hosting the Regional Spelling Bee on March 21, 2024.
To prepare for the regional competition, WVMS students participated in two WVMS Spelling Bees last week, one for seventh graders and one for eighth graders. The two middle school-based Bees were held to identify a top speller for each grade to move on to the Regional Spelling Bee at BOCES in March. Everyone – from our spellers to their enthusiastic audience of supportive classmates – had a G-R-E-A-T time!
The Scripps National Spelling Bee program has been around since 1925, when its regional partners across the US were largely local newspapers. The well-known and respected program has continued to evolve and grow over the decades in its goal of
“…inspiring the exploration of words… illuminating pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrating academic achievement and enriching communities.”
WVMS Principal Jared Yapkowitz served as master of ceremonies for the WVMS Spelling Bees, and members of the WVMS faculty served as judges. As the Bees commenced, students were challenged to correctly spell words from a list of over 300 entries! There were more than a few proud teachers in the room as the competitors showed off the impressive skills they’ve picked up in the classroom. As the Bees progressed by rounds, the words became increasingly more difficult, and the field of spellers was narrowed.
Ultimately, one winner from each grade level was chosen!
Congratulations, Sean Whelan (7th) and Fiana Goldenberg (8th), who were crowned WVMS Spelling Bee Champs for 2024. Sean and Fiana will now move on to represent WVMS during the Regional Spelling Bee at OU BOCES.
All participants received medals for their efforts, not to mention a boisterous round of A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E from their peers and teachers.
