Top speller will head to regional bee

Champion. C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N. Cham-pion.

//

That is what dozens of Columbia County elementary and middle school pupils hope to spell for themselves Monday during the county's spelling bee.

Held annually at Grovetown Middle School for fourth- through eighth-graders, the bee brings in 25 representatives, one from each of the school system's elementary and middle schools, to compete for a chance to move on to the regional spelling bee finals held March 6 at The Augusta Chronicle building on Broad Street.

The regional winner then will compete for the national title in Washington, D.C., on June 3-4.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is perhaps the most recognized academic competition in the world. The final rounds of the contest will be televised live on ESPN and ABC.

The county winner will receive a trophy and other prizes. Winners at the school level also will receive trophies and a $10 gift certificate to Academy Sports, provided by Evans High School senior Cody Shepherd as part of his senior project.

Other prizes for all participants include gift cards or coupons to Adventure Crossing, Fatz Cafe, Papa John's, Seigler's Karate and Sticky Fingers; book bags; and ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries.

The county bee starts at 4:30 p.m. A reception will be held at 4 p.m.