The fifth and sixth grade spelling bee was held at Harlem Elementary School on Friday, January 21. The school's four winners: Cassius Clark, Lashaia Snow, Mila Wing, and Chloe Green will advance to the Blaine County Spelling Bee. The county competition is scheduled for February 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium at Chinook High School.
Although competition in Harlem was reported as "tough," the best spellers battled until the final four emerged victorious. Cassius Clark secured champion status by earning first place, while Lashaia Snow captured second, Mila Wing took third, and Chloe Green won fourth. These spellers qualified for the Blaine County Spelling Bee and will compete again next Wednesday, February 9. Should any of the top finishers be unable to attend the county bee, one of the alternates will fill their place. First alternate is Ryan Fetter, while Tayana First Raised will serve as second alternate and Treyton Mount as third.
The faculty and staff at Harlem Elementary expressed pride in their top spellers and wished them good luck at the Blaine County Spelling Bee.
To determine qualifiers from Chinook, Meadowlark Elementary School held its local spelling bee on February 1.
Participation in local bees provides an opportunity for students to develop confidence and to gain experience in public speaking while also improving spelling and vocabulary aptitudes. The winner of the Blaine County Spelling Bee will advance to state competition in Bozeman. Slated for March 12 at 1:00 p.m., the 2022 Treasure State Spelling Bee will be held at Montana State University's Strand Union Building.
Director of the state bee, Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools Matthew Henry has announced that the 57th Annual Treasure State Spelling Bee will occur in person. The bee will be conducted using the traditional oral spelling bee format, and pandemic protocols for contestants and audience members will be in place where possible.
Prizes will be awarded to the top spellers, and the winner of the bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2022 to compete for $50,000 and other prizes. The National Spelling Bee will take place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, during the week of Memorial Day with accomplished actor, director, educator, and lifelong children's literacy advocate, LeVar Burton serving as its host.