Library Hosts Regional Spelling Bee

On Saturday, March 19, at 8:30 a.m., 31 elementary and middle school students from around the region will come together at Mid-Continent Public Library’s Midwest Genealogy Center to compete in the annual Mid-Continent Public Library Spelling Bee (formerly the Jackson-Clay County Spelling Bee). Spellers will face off against one another for the title of regional spelling bee champion as well as the chance to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland over Memorial Day weekend.

“We’re thrilled to once again host the regional spelling bee where hardworking metro students can show off their resplendent skills and qualify for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” said MCPL Special Events Coordinator Sara Peterson-Davis, who organizes the bee. “The Library is proud to encourage local students to expand their vocabularies and ‘bee’ the best spellers they can!”

Spellers represent six school districts and eight private or parochial schools in Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties, including Blue Springs, Fort Osage, Hickman Mills, Independence, Lee’s Summit, and North Kansas City. All competitors qualified for the MCPL Spelling Bee by winning their local school bee as well as scoring in the top third of the online semi-final bee hosted by the Library (93 semifinalists participated in the semifinals, and 31 advanced).

Five of the competitors are returning spellers who competed in the MCPL Spelling Bee in years past. Saturday’s bee will be a single elimination competition, meaning that if a participant misspells a word, they will no longer be in the running. The spellers will be evaluated by a panel of four judges and recorders. Dan Margolies of KCUR, 89.3 FM will serve as the bee’s pronouncer.

A private livestream of the MCPL Spelling Bee will be available for relatives who cannot attend the bee. The link will only be shared with spellers’ families. The Library will announce the winner and the winning word after the bee concludes on Saturday, March 19. An announcement will also be shared on the Spelling Bee Facebook page.

The bee champion will have the opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, with MCPL covering travel expenses for both the student and their parent or guardian. The Scripps National Bee kicks off on May 30 and runs through June 2, and the finals will be broadcast on live TV and hosted by actor, director, podcaster, and popular children’s television host LeVar Burton.

For information on the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit spellingbee.com. Also, “bee” sure to follow the MCPL Spelling Bee on Facebook to hear the latest buzz! 

Masks are not required at the MCPL Spelling Bee, however, those who wish to wear them are welcome to do so.