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For the past nine years the Gazette-Star has sponsored the Prince George's County Spelling Bee. It has been my privilege to have worked behind the scenes for eight of those years.
Every year brings a new assortment of children with different outlooks on school, on those around them and of course the spelling bee. Generally, I have been impressed with the seventh and eighth grade students who participate in the spelling bee. I figure any child with the ability to spell the more difficult monosyllabic and polysyllabic words without needing to use spell check gets my appreciation.
I have witnessed a wide range of emotions displayed each year by the children but I think my most interesting observance has been their attitude. These young adults seem to have learned that attitude can be good or it can be a detriment and they seem to realize that having the right attitude is one of the basic necessities required for success.
In the past few years I have witnessed intensity in their desire to succeed and reveled in watching the encouragement they give each other before and after the event.
The deadline is approaching for Prince George's County schools to register to participate in the next Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee being sponsored by The Gazette-The Star.
Encouraging your middle school to participate in the spelling bee can help its students improve their spelling and increase their vocabularies.
The benefit of a more effective vocabulary will result in children being able to read and write more effectively and score higher on SAT and ACT tests. The impact lasts a lifetime.
To participate in the event, schools must register by Wednesday at www.spellingbee.com.
Each school is required to hold its own competition to determine a winner. Then winners from each county middle school will participate in the countywide competition to be held on March 20, 2009 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland.
The event will be taped and televised at a later date. The county winner receives a $1,000 shopping spree to a local mall and a five-day/four-night all expenses paid stay at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee week on May 26 and 27.
Additionally, the winning school or home school association will receive a $1,000 check. The winner of the local competition will be Prince George's County representative at the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be held in Washington D.C.
Although participation by each school is voluntary I would urge all eligible Prince George's County Schools to participate and encourage all Prince George's County residents to come out the spelling bee and support all of these students.
There is no charge to attend the event and you will be amazed at the enjoyment you will get watching these accomplished children.