Akron Public Schools has reentered the regional spelling bee competition after a nearly 30-year absence, marking a significant milestone for students in the district. The decision to participate in the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee, a qualifying event for the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., was made in collaboration with district officials and community leaders.
The Akron Beacon Journal has served as the regional sponsor of the national spelling bee since its inception in 1925. For many years, the absence of Akron students from this competition raised concerns, particularly as the region’s educational landscape evolved. The last time an Akron Public Schools student competed in the bee was decades ago. The district’s participation was halted when it opted out of the program, despite the presence of talented spellers.
This year, the revival of the spelling bee program was prompted by conversations between Carla Chapman, the district’s chief of community relations, and Mary Outley, the district superintendent. Outley, a Buchtel High School alumna with a strong background in education, recognized the competition’s broader benefits. She emphasized that the spelling bee fosters not only spelling proficiency but also essential skills in vocabulary and reading comprehension.
“This competition is about more than spelling words correctly,” Outley noted. “It is about confidence, vocabulary, strong reading skills and the list just goes on.” The cost for schools to join the competition was kept low, with a fee of $75 per school, subsidized by a partnership with the Ohio Lottery.
Building a Foundation for Literacy
The Akron Beacon Journal’s Laura Kessel, who serves as the regional coordinator for the spelling bee, collaborated with Chapman and Toan Nguyen, the district’s content supervisor for English Language Arts K-12, to facilitate the program’s relaunch. Staff from all ten middle schools in the district volunteered to coordinate school-level competitions and provide after-school support for participants.
While only ten building champions were crowned, the initiative has had a substantial impact on all students involved. Nguyen explained that preparing for the spelling bee encourages students to study word patterns, roots, and language origins. This preparation not only enhances their understanding of word meanings but also improves their reading fluency and overall literacy skills.
The Akron Public Schools district further expanded the initiative by organizing its own district spelling bee after the building-level competitions. I had the opportunity to volunteer as a judge at this event, which showcased the impressive talents of the young spellers. Eight of the ten school champions competed for the title of best speller in Akron Public Schools, cheered on by family, teachers, and district leaders.
Celebrating Student Achievement
In a display of remarkable skill, eighth grader Imira Cobb from Litchfield Community Learning Center emerged as the champion by correctly spelling the word “prototype.” Imira received a $150 Visa gift card and additional prizes, while all participants were awarded trophies and goody bags, including Scrabble games to further hone their spelling skills.
Imira’s victory came in a thrilling competition that featured students from fifth to eighth grades, all of whom exhibited poise and determination. Coming in a close second was Naomi Cooper, a seventh grader from Buchtel Community Learning Center.
The Akron building-level winners will now advance to compete in an online spelling test against other Summit County spellers. The top ten finishers will qualify for the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee on March 15, 2024, at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.
The reintroduction of the spelling bee program signifies a commitment to educational excellence within Akron Public Schools. It echoes the legacy of past participants, including Helen Fisher, a pioneering student who competed at the national level in the early days of the spelling bee. The community is eager to see if this year’s top spellers can continue that legacy of achievement.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming regional competition, one thing is clear: Akron students are ready to showcase their skills and compete on a larger stage. The revival of the spelling bee is not just a return to a tradition; it is a testament to the district’s dedication to fostering literacy and empowering students.