By STEPHEN BARTLETT
PLATTSBURGH -- Spelling bees provide children with a place to shine.
"They not only learn how to spell, but they learn how to face anxiety," said Jerry McGovern, a retired teacher and coordinator of the Press-Republican's Newspapers in Education program. "The competition is often tense, and students learn how to perform under pressure.
"And more importantly, this is good because it focuses on something academic within the schools."
The regional spelling bee in late February at Saranac Central School marks the seventh year area students have participated in such a competition.
But this year, due to the sponsorship of the Press-Republican, along with co-sponsor Champlain Valley Educational Services, the regional champion will head to Washington, D.C., at the end of May to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's largest and longest-running educational promotion, administered on a non-profit basis by the E.W. Scripps Company and 267 sponsors in the United States, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Guam, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
The Louisville Courier-Journal started the event with nine contestants in 1925, though in 1941 Scripps took over the program.
Students in grades four to eight compete in the competition that is aimed at helping them improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives.
Each sponsor organizes a regional spelling bee program in its community in cooperation with area public, private and home schools.
This year's regional competition for area students is scheduled for Feb. 29 at Saranac Central School.
"What we are sponsoring is the Scripps National Spelling Bee," McGovern said of the Press-Republican's involvement. "We are going to facilitate the sending of our champion from the Champlain Valley Educational Services Regional Spelling Bee to Washington, D.C., where they have the national spelling bee championship, which is televised on ESPN.
"The newspaper wants to support and reward the academic efforts of North Country students."
Retired teacher Elaine Rice creates the word lists for the regional competition and said it is a wonderful experience.
"We have kids identified as needing special services and top-notch students," she said. "A lot of it has to do with kids having fun, and it is a competition."
There wasn't much concern over the first few spelling bees to send students to nationals, but in recent years school officials and parents asked if that could happen.
Participation has increased from six or seven schools to around 10 or 11.
"We would like to see more involved," Rice said. "The biggest problem if it grows is space."
Students who participate gain confidence, learn language-art skills and gain expertise as public speakers.
"It is a mental challenge and incredible experience for them," Rice said. "And as they gain success they gain confidence."
sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
