The Akron Public Schools (APS) has officially rejoined the regional spelling bee competition after a 30-year absence, allowing students to compete for a spot in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year, the APS district has embraced the opportunity to participate in the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee, a qualifying event for the national competition held in Washington, D.C.
Historically, Akron students have been absent from the regional bee due to the district’s decision to opt out of the competition three decades ago. This change comes as a result of discussions initiated by Carla Chapman, the district’s chief of community relations and strategic engagement, with Superintendent Mary Outley. Outley, a graduate of Buchtel High School and a long-time educator, recognizes the benefits of the spelling bee, aligning it with the district’s Year of Literacy Initiative. “This competition is about more than spelling words correctly,” Outley stated. “It is about confidence, vocabulary, strong reading skills, and much more.”
The minimal cost to join the competition was facilitated by a partnership with the Ohio Lottery, which subsidized the fees. Each participating school paid $75, while the lottery covered the remaining $124 of the total fee of $199.
Empowering Students Through Competition
Under the coordination of Laura Kessel from the USA TODAY Network, Chapman collaborated with Toan Nguyen, the district’s content supervisor for English Language Arts, to reinstate the spelling bee program. Staff members at the district’s ten middle schools volunteered as coordinators for the school-level competitions, providing students with after-school resources to prepare.
The effort has proven beneficial, as students not only improved their spelling skills but also developed a deeper understanding of language. “As students prepare, they study word patterns, roots, and language origins, which helps them understand word meanings and become stronger readers,” Nguyen explained. The program aims to ensure that Akron students have the same opportunities as their peers in surrounding districts.
Following the selection of ten school-level champions, APS organized its own district spelling bee. The event saw significant participation, with eight finalists competing for the title of best speller in the district. As a volunteer judge, I witnessed the remarkable talent and confidence displayed by these students, who ranged from fifth to eighth grade.
After nine challenging rounds, Imira Cobb, an eighth grader from Litchfield Community Learning Center, emerged victorious by spelling “prototype” correctly. For her achievement, Imira received a $150 Visa gift card along with various donated prizes. Rounding out the top contenders was Naomi Cooper, a seventh grader from Buchtel Community Learning Center, who finished in second place. Each participant received a trophy, a goody bag, and a Scrabble board game to further hone their spelling skills.
Looking Ahead to Regional Competition
The Akron building-level winners are now set to compete in an online spelling test against other spellers from Summit County. The top ten finishers will advance to the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee scheduled for March 15, 2024, at the Akron-Summit County Public Library. The Akron Beacon Journal has proudly sponsored the national spelling bee program since its inception in 1925.
Notably, Akron has a historical connection to the national spelling bee, with Helen Fisher, a student from Portage Path Elementary School, being one of the first competitors in the national event. As this new generation of spellers prepares to take the stage, the hope is that one of them will continue the legacy established by Fisher and the twelve other Akron students who have represented the region in the past.
The return of Akron Public Schools to the spelling bee is not just a revival of a tradition; it is a significant step toward enriching student experiences and fostering a spirit of competition and excellence. The community eagerly anticipates the outcome as these young spellers prepare to showcase their skills on a larger platform.
