Three Rivers College to host regional spelling bee Saturday

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- On Saturday, one Southeast Missouri student will win the chance to compete in the National Spelling Bee. 2011 marks the second year Three Rivers College will host a regional Scripps Spelling Bee for area elementary and junior high school students.

"Three Rivers is one of only a few higher education institutions to sponsor the national spelling bee," said Mark Sanders, English instructor and coordinator of the Southeast Missouri Regional Spelling Bee at Three Rivers. "We invite public, private, parochial and homeschooled students from 17 Southeast Missouri counties to take part in this event."

The E.W. Scripps Publishing Company has sponsored and hosted the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., since 1941.

According to Sanders, 45 spellers are registered for the competition at Three Rivers. The winner of this bee will be qualified to advance to the National Spelling Bee this summer. Last year's national champion received over $40,000 in savings bonds, prize money, and books.

"Until Three Rivers began hosting this last year, kids in our area did not have any opportunity to compete against other spellers from throughout the country," said Steve Lewis, Division Chair for Humanities and Social Sciences at Three Rivers. "Now they do. The spelling bee fosters excellence in academic achievement among the students in Southeast Missouri. The event also provides an opportunity for the students and their family members to set foot on our campus, become more acquainted with our facilities and personnel, and realize that Three Rivers is an excellent choice for higher education."

The 2nd Annual Southeast Missouri Regional Spelling Bee at Three Rivers will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center auditorium. The event is presented by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust and open to the public; admission will not be charged. For more information, please contact Mark Sanders at 573-840-9122.