How do you spell a cash prize and a free trip to Toronto? C-A-N-S-P-E-L-L.
The eighth annual Canspell Spelling Bee, hosted by the Prince George Citizen, is still registering schools to participate until Nov. 30. Other sponsors included the University of Northern B.C., the Nechacko Rotary Club and Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
Students who participate in a spelling bee have a chance to represent their school in the regional competition March 3.
"It's a great connection for The Citizen to be involved in this literacy-based initiative that gives students from all across the North the opportunity to test their abilities against their peers," said Alan Ramsay, business development manager at The Citizen and co-ordinator of the event. The potential for travel is a pretty good incentive too, he said.
Last year's regional winner was Justin Bergen, a Grade 7 student from Bulkley Valley Christian school in Smithers. He went up against 20 other regional champions in Toronto, but was eliminated in the fifth round.
Egg Farmers of Canada provides funding for the Canpsell Education Awards. The top speller in each of the 21 regional spelling bees receives $5,000, the winner of the Postmedia Canspell National Final in Toronto receives $7,500. The second and third place national spellers receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.
But before those prizes can be claimed, local schools need to host their own competitions.
All of the resources needed to host a school spelling bee are provided in a kit that comes with a $109 materials and registration fee.
At Bulkley Valley school, Bergen and his classmates are taking advantage of their last year to compete and are already preparing themselves, said Jacquie Lester.
"The Grade Eight [class] that Justin came from are very gung-ho to be doing it again," Lester said, acknowledging that the class is full of very strong spellers.
But despite their pedigree, there are challengers on the horizon. Marnie Alexander is leading the charge at Harwin elementary school. Students have been practicing during lunch hour mini spelling bee sessions before an school-wide bee is held to determine their winner.
"I think it's really excellent for the kids," Alexander said. "They love to be involved in community things and I love anything that can get them competing on a school level and anything that can get them engaged in school or academics is fantastic."
To register, visit www.canspell.com or contact Alan Ramsay at 250-960-2772 or aramsay@pgcitizen.ca with any questions.
