Area Students Set to Compete at District Spelling Bee
Twenty-four students from Bolivar Elementary School, Bolivar Middle School, Grand Junction Elementary School, Hornsby Elementary School, Middleton Elementary School, Middleton High School, Toone Elementary School, and Whiteville Elementary School were able to spell their way to victory winning placement at their school spelling bees that were held late last year.
For more than 16 years, students from Hardeman County have participated in the spelling bees at their respective schools with the winners continuing to the district-wide competition, and then onto the regional spelling bee.
“The spelling bee was and still is a very integral instructional activity across the district to spotlight our students,” said Monica Shaw, Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning Pre-K -5 with the Hardeman County School Board. “Students who place 1st place in their school’s spelling bee are eligible to compete at the regional level.”
Shaw serves as the district liaison for the district-wide spelling bee and supports the school spelling bee coordinators for the regional spelling bee.
“I strongly believe that participating in school/district/regional spelling bees provides an opportunity for students to engage in spirited competition,” said Shaw who has coordinated the district spelling bee for 16 years. “In that, students can engage among their peers on a personal, yet professional level to showcase their talents. Spirited competition supports personal growth and strengthens character.”
Each school was allowed three winners and an alternate. The first through third place winners s will compete at the district bee, and the fourth place winner will serve as an alternate for their school in the event one of the first through third place winners is unable to attend the district spelling bee. Although the students are competing against each other to see who is the best speller, the competition involves more than just spelling a word correctly.
“Students are able to learn from others, which will enhance their knowledge and skill level(s), while strengthening their level of confidence and self-determination. They are able to see these opportunities not as challenges, but as opportunities of growth,” said Shaw. “Celebrating academic success in a fun-filled way can be very rewarding and inspirational. It is a great opportunity to promote literacy, while strengthening vocabulary skills, and self-discipline.”
The Hardeman County District Spelling Bee will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at Bolivar Central High School at 6 p.m. The winner will continue to the 2023 Tennessee Titans Regional Spelling Bee that will be held at the Nissan Stadium on March 4, 2023, at 12 p.m.
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