Fourth Annual Frederick County Spelling Bee

(2/26) Enthusiastic Students Vie for Trophy and "Best Speller in Frederick County"

There’s a buzz in the air, thanks to the Bee—the 2011 Frederick County Spelling Bee, that is. Once again sponsored by The Gazette, Frederick County Bank and Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL), this year’s competition is the fourth annual event.

For the first time, some Frederick County public and private schools will be sending a school representative directly to the Championship Bee. To participate in the Bee, students at the following schools must be selected as their school representative: Brunswick and Centerville Elementary Schools, Brunswick, Urbana, Thurmont and Middletown Middle Schools, New Life Christian Academy, St. John's Regional Catholic School, and Visitation Academy. Qualifying Bees are still offered for homeschool students and students from schools not sending a representative to the Championship Bee. Those students may register for Qualifying Bees beginning March 1. Qualifying Bees are scheduled for April 2, 11 am at Urbana Regional Library and April 9, 2 pm at C. Burr Artz Public Library. Finalists will compete in the Championship on Saturday, April 30, at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, Downtown Frederick.

"We can't wait to watch the talented crop of young spellers compete again this year," says Molly Spence, managing editor, The Gazette. "Last year's winner correctly spelled the word 'tumultuary' to win a $1,000 savings bond and the title of Frederick County's top speller. What will this year's winning word be, and who will spell it to earn the top prize? We can't wait to find out."

C. Burr Artz Public Library has scheduled a Spelling Club every Thursday at 4 pm, March 3 through March 31 and Thurmont Regional Library has scheduled a fun Jeopardy Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:45 pm to assist spellers to prepare for the bees. Students can also choose from a variety of FCPL resources to prepare for the traditional-style competition, including Spelling Bee Study Kits available for check-out at all library branches. The kit consists of How to Spell Like a Champ book and CD by Barrie Trinkle, a copy of The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, study words, reusable practice crossword puzzles, and more.

Beginning March 1, spellers can register at any FCPL branch or online at fcpl.org. Spellers must be between the ages of 9 and 14 and be in fourth through eighth grade at any public, private, or home school. Specific eligibility requirements are available at all FCPL branches and at www.fcpl.org/spelling.