The 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee featured two winning words – and two winners. “Scherentschnitte” and “nunatak” were the two winning words, marking the second year in a row that the competition has ended in a tie. We’re not sure we could spell those words, but we know we always look forward to the spelling bee – especially its local competition co-hosted by The Links and The Times-Picayune at Xavier University.
Education is a critical part of NEW ORLEANS WILL and the city’s future success; the spelling bee equips our youth with skills they can take with them as they transition from students into successful employees with careers in tourism and other influential fields. Learn more about this year’s local bee below!
A student from Lafayette competes in a recent National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. The local competition takes place on February 28 at Xavier University. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Erin M)
The Event
The final, national spelling bee is comprised of winners from several local and regional competitions across the United States. One such competition takes place in New Orleans. The local competition for the 28th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee is on Saturday, Feb 27 at Xavier University. Contact the Times-Picayune or your child’s school coordinator for more information about how to sign your child up for next year!
Preparing for the Bee
Participating in the national spelling bee and its regional and local competitions fosters a sense of responsibility and accomplishment in children. Even an at-home spelling bee amongst siblings or friends can be a fun competition with a positive, educational component. If you’d like to help your child prepare for a spelling bee, you can sign up for the Scripps Word Club. This free, online asset includes the following advantages:
- Details on your child’s school spelling bee
- School spelling bee study lists
- Suggested rules for local spelling bees
- White Board Words with language and learning insights from official Bee pronouncer Dr. Jacques Bailly (he also won the Scripps National Spelling Bee when he was 14!)
- More fun content to help your child prepare for the spelling bee
For an interactive component at home, you can help your child log on to SpellingBee.com to take a sample test. This fun activity features the actual 2015 Preliminaries Test – take it to see if you could have qualified for the Semifinals!
A Commitment to Youth Services
The New Orleans Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosts the local round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year, just as they have done for the past 23 years. In partnership with The Times-Picayune and with assistance from Xavier University, the Links, through its sponsorship, encourages all students in 5th through 8th grade to challenge themselves, learn new words and definitions, and master the basics of vocabulary and spelling. In addition to co-sponsoring the spelling bee, The Links is actively involved in other youth services across the city with the ultimate goal of preparing young people for success in the modern workforce. By promoting early literacy, implementing local mentoring programs from kindergarten through college, and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, The Links is a powerful force for education in New Orleans.