National Spelling Bee promises a battle of words

MEDIA RELEASE
15th February 2011
For immediate release

National Spelling Bee promises a battle of words

While most students spent their school holidays relaxing, 16 Year Nine students from around the country have been sweating over long lists of words. The students are contestants in the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee Final, and are building up for the event, held in Wellington this Saturday 26th February.
The Spelling Bee, a verbal war of words, will earn the overall winner a trip to Washington DC in June, representing New Zealand in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Scripps winner will receive more than US$40,000 in cash and other prizes.

The NZ Finalists qualified for the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee Final last year when they were in year eight, taking out top placing in the Regional Spelling Bees held in November.

Janet Lucas, the Spelling Bee’s Event Manager, says the students will have sharpened their minds with a focus on spelling techniques.
"Spelling really involves knowing spelling rules, blends and letter patterns, looking at origins of words, and in some cases memorising really awkward words straight out of the dictionary,” she says.

The Spelling Bee has created a real buzz in New Zealand since it began in 2005, says Lucas. “It is amazing to think that this year will see our seventh speller travel to Washington DC to compete in the world’s biggest Spelling Bee.”

Over 9 million American children try out for the Scripps Bee every year.

For the former six New Zealand Spelling Champions - three girls and three boys – the trip has been a once in a lifetime experience.

Last year’s winner was Tom Winter from Burnside High School, Christchurch, who reached the semi-finals when he competed at the Scripps Spelling Bee last year.

“It's a great thing to be a part of. Give it a go!” he says.

Aimee Driscoll, Corporate Affairs Manager for Kraft, says the Bee rewards the efforts of children to spell well. “We love the Bee because it’s a little bit different, it’s a thinking activity. Improving spelling is a task that requires strategic thinking, research, repetition, and good amounts of brainpower. All are excellent skills to build in our children for their futures.”

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