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The WHRO Public Media Spelling Bee Is Coming Soon!

A student competes in a previous regional spelling bee.
A student competes in a previous regional spelling bee.

Each year, middle school students from across the region compete for the opportunity to represent our area in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

This year, the regional spelling bee is set to take place on February 11, 2023.

Meet this year's competitors.


A Few Fun Facts:

  • The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee. Little did they know that more than 90 years later their literacy effort would reach 11 million students each year.
  • Eight spellers conquered eight championship words to make history in 2019. What were they? Auslaut. Erysipelas. Bougainvillea. Aiguillette. Pendeloque. Palama. Cernuous. Odylic.
  • The French word connoisseur has been the most frequently used word on Scripps National Spelling Bee word lists.
  • There was no Scripps National Spelling Bee from 1943-1945. It was called off due to World War II.

The Bee helps students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. In addition to the academic benefits, students also develop important life skills – like goal setting, time management and public speaking – that will help them as they advance in school and eventually to successful careers.


Watch the 2020 regional competition: