Sussex County Regional Spelling Bee set March 16 in Georgetown
Sussex County’s best spellers are hoping for a little l-u-c-k when they compete for top honors in the region.
Over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, 20 local students will gather to take part in the second annual Sussex County Regional Spelling Bee competition, set for 1 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at Sussex Academy in Georgetown. Sponsored by Sussex County Libraries, the event will send one winner to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May, where participants will compete for the Scripps Cup.
This year, 10 schools have registered for the Sussex County competition, allowing students ranging from third through fifth grades to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition.
The 2023 champion of the inaugural Sussex County Regional Spelling Bee was Declan Durand, a 10-year-old fifth-grader from Love Creek Elementary School between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. Durand won the title and a chance to compete in the National Bee after winning in the ninth round with the word “elegant.”
This year marks the second for Sussex County Libraries as an official Scripps National Spelling Bee regional partner, the only one in southern Delaware. “We are proud to offer access once again for Sussex County students to engage in this national student recognition program. It is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their literacy skills, build their confidence and engage in healthy competition,” said Rachel Lynch, Sussex County librarian.
In addition to demonstrating their vocabulary prowess, participants in regional bees gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence, and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers.
Due to limited seating, attendance at this year’s regional event will be by invitation only for participants’ families and friends. The competition will be streamed live on the Sussex County Libraries Facebook page.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 29 and 30, at National Harbor near Washington, D.C.; it will be televised nationally on ION.
For more information, go to spellingbee.com.
