Wicomico Schools To Participate In Maryland Eastern Shore Spelling Bee, Sponsored By UMES

A Lower Shore elementary or middle school student will have an opportunity next spring to participate in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announced today it will sponsor a competition for grades 4-8 to identify the region’s top speller, who will win an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the nationally televised event. The superintendents of Wicomico County Public Schools and Somerset County Public Schools have expressed their excitement about the event, which was announced Sept. 12 with a kickoff announcement at Somerset Intermediate School in Westover.

“We’re delighted that our students will have a chance to show their spelling prowess at the school and regional level, and perhaps even the national level,” said Dr. John E. Fredericksen, Wicomico County Superintendent of Schools. “Our guiding rule this year is, ‘If it helps a student learn, let’s do it.’ We’re ready for our students to spell their way to success.”

“We know students face tough challenges in the classroom every day,” UMES President Dr. Juliette B. Bell said. “And we want to do our part to inspire them – and acknowledge their achievements.”

Students and top administrators from public schools in Somerset and Wicomico counties joined Bell at a kick-off event at Somerset Intermediate School. Both school systems have agreed to encourage their elementary and middle schools to conduct school-level competitions.

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