Rotary Spelling Bee returns May 12
May 12 event launched at St. Theresa School
Teacher Janalee Lynde smiled as she watched a small group of her Grade 4/5 students gathered in the foyer at St. Teresa School to spell words to promote the 2018 installment of the Rotary Spelling Bee.
The seventh annual event, which returns May 12 to Fleming College, does more than foster literacy skills and studying habits. Putting students in front of a large audience has its own unique social benefits, she pointed out.
“It’s really a self-confidence builder,” she said.
Erika Keilec, the top Grade 4 student in last year’s event, said she enjoys the challenge of the competition the most. The avid reader and writer said her mom has been helping her prepare by testing out her skills.
Her sister is also now old enough to compete, but Keilec shrugged as she shyly admitted she hasn’t been helping her sibling get ready for the event.
Boosting literacy is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus – and not just in other parts of the world – city Rotarian and event co-chairman Rick Storey pointed out.
“Here in Canada, it’s just as important,” he said, noting how a spelling mistake on an employment application can make the difference between somebody getting a job or not.
“I feel it makes a difference, I really do.”
About 6,500 students will take part in school level-competitions.
Each school may then send up to two students per division to the community-wide event.
The junior division (Grades 4 to 6) will compete at 9 a.m. About 75 students are expected to be on the stage. The senior division (Grades 7 and 8) competes at 1 p.m. with about 55 expected to take part.
Prizes include an Apple iPad Pro, Kobo eReaders, gift certificates and beehives.
Awards worth $3,500 will be awarded to schools on May 12 – $1,000 to the school where the winning student attends, $500 to the school where the second-place student attends and $250 to the school where the third-place student attends.
Some 35 of 44 schools invited are taking part. Organizers are encouraging interested students who have yet to register to ask their teacher or principal for that opportunity, Storey said.
NOTES: For more information or to contact organizers, visit www.peterboroughrotary.ca, follow @PtboRotaryBee on Twitter or email spellingbee@peterboroughrotary.ca.