WILMINGTON — First State Educate has expanded its spelling bee program by partnering with the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

In this partnership, First State Educate will become a regional partner and the statewide sponsor for the State of Delaware. This means that champions from Delaware schools enrolled in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee will advance to a 2025 Regional Bee hosted by First State Educate.

Winners of the 2025 Regional Bee will have the chance to advance to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, a world-renowned televised event. 

For Delaware students in grades four through six whose school cannot not enroll in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program, First State Educate will hold the Delaware Spelling Bee, giving those Delaware students who wish to participate the opportunity to do so.

Partners for the 2025 FSE Delaware Spelling Bee include the United Way of Delaware, the City of Wilmington’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and the International Literacy Association.

The top three spellers from the 2025 First State Educate Delaware Spelling Bee may qualify to join the school-specific champions in the 2025 Regional Bee. The 2025 Regional Champion can then advance to the 2025 National Spelling Bee. 

Julia Keleher, First State Educate Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, said, “We believe spelling bees foster a love for language, can ignite a passion for academic excellence, and build confidence. Every student should have the opportunity to participate, no matter if their school is able to or not.

“We are thrilled to expand this 100-year-old educational program to reach more students across Delaware and look forward to watching Delaware’s students shine” 

Schools interested in participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee Program should visit spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more.

For students who wish to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program but attend schools that cannot enroll in the Scripps Spelling Bee program, parents and guardians should visit firststateeducate.org/spelling-bee-signup to learn more. 

Registration for the 2025 First State Educate Delaware Spelling Bee closes Dec. 7, or when the program reaches 60 participants. 

First State Educate will hold the 2025 First State Educate Delaware Spelling Bee on Feb. 1, 2025, in Dover. Delaware’s 2025 Regional Bee will be held on March 8, 2025, in Dover. The winner of the 2025 Regional Bee will compete on the national stage at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the Washington, D.C. area in May 2025.

Every participant in the 2025 FSE Delaware Spelling Bee and the 2025 Regional Bee will be invited to a celebration that will include recognition for their achievements, refreshments, and more.

The winner of the 2025 Regional Bee will also receive a free six-night stay for themselves and a custodial guardian at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington D.C., so they may compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee without an accommodation barrier.