The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is resuming its sponsorship role in the Scripps National Bee to give local students and schools an opportunity to participate in America’s …
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The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is resuming its sponsorship role in the Scripps National Bee to give local students and schools an opportunity to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition.
As the exclusive sponsor for Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties, UMES will conduct the regional spelling bee competition on Saturday, March 5, and send one regional champion to the national competition in May 2022, where the winner will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup.
The 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion was Zaila Avant-garde, a 14-year-old from New Orleans. Avant-garde won the coveted title in round 18 with the correct spelling of “Murraya.”
UMES has sponsored the regional bee event since 2013, taking a break a year ago because of challenges presented by the pandemic. The event is open to students in grades 3 through 8 in public, private and home schools in the four lower Shore counties. The deadline for schools to register is Dec. 31, 2021.
“UMES was founded in 1886, in part, to train teachers who continue to play a vital role in preparing the next generation of young people for challenges they’ll face in the 21st century,” said Bill Robinson, who coordinates the university’s regional spelling bee. “The quintessentially American spelling bee is the kind of challenge participants will tell you brings out their best.”
The Scripps National Spelling Bee annually reaches millions of students across the country and around the world with classroom materials it provides schools enrolled in the yearlong program. The Bee’s purpose is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.
Participation in local bees also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers.
Schools in Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties in Maryland are eligible to enroll in the 2021-2022 program now through Dec. 31. Educators can visit Spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more and enroll their schools in the program.