This Saturday, March 2, 2024, marks an exciting day for Schuylkill County as 39 of its finest spellers gear up to compete in the 2024 Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council Regional Spelling Bee.
Coordinated by the Schuylkill Technology Center, the event is scheduled to take place at 10:00 am in the auditorium of DHH Lengel Middle School, located at 1541 Laurel Blvd, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Representing the twelve Schuylkill County Public School Districts, along with several non-public institutions, the competition promises to be fierce. Not only will 39 spellers participate, but there will also be twenty alternates ready to showcase their spelling skills if called upon.
Charles Underwood will take on the role of the pronouncer, while the judging panel comprises Dr. Nikki Andel from Penn State University, Cynthia Mensch from Alvernia University, and Devina Singh, a former National Spelling Bee Competitor. Additionally, Ashley Hess of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 will serve as the Recordkeeper, with Karen Durkin as the Appeals Judge and Shannon Brennan from Schuylkill Technology Center stepping into the role of Emcee.
The Regional Spelling Bee faced uncertainty when its long-time sponsor, the Republican Herald Newspaper, announced it could no longer support and coordinate the event.
Representing the twelve Schuylkill County Public School Districts, along with several non-public institutions, the competition promises to be fierce. Not only will 39 spellers participate, but there will also be twenty alternates ready to showcase their spelling skills if called upon.
Charles Underwood will take on the role of the pronouncer, while the judging panel comprises Dr. Nikki Andel from Penn State University, Cynthia Mensch from Alvernia University, and Devina Singh, a former National Spelling Bee Competitor. Additionally, Ashley Hess of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 will serve as the Recordkeeper, with Karen Durkin as the Appeals Judge and Shannon Brennan from Schuylkill Technology Center stepping into the role of Emcee.
The Regional Spelling Bee faced uncertainty when its long-time sponsor, the Republican Herald Newspaper, announced it could no longer support and coordinate the event.
The Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council stepped up to sponsor the event to keep the tradition alive.
"Losing the Regional Bee would have been a tremendous loss for Schuylkill County, and so I’m thankful that Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council stepped up to sponsor the event," said Shannon Brennan, Director of STC.
Courtney L. Fasnacht, Executive Director of NEPA MAEC, expressed that sponsoring "the Bee" aligns with the council's mission of supporting youth in the community.
The stakes are high for participants as the winner of this regional competition secures a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee scheduled to take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center during the week of May 26-31, 2024.
Spelling Bee participants include:
The stakes are high for participants as the winner of this regional competition secures a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee scheduled to take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center during the week of May 26-31, 2024.
Spelling Bee participants include:
- Azaylee Adams - Grade 8 - Williams Valley
- Ava Applegate - Grade 7 - Schuylkill Haven
- Aisaha Ayasha Feliz - Grade 6 - Mahanoy Area
- Najlaa Belkhoutout - Grade 7 - Pottsville Area
- Owen Borger - Grade 4 - Blue Mountain
- Savanna Carduff - Grade 4 - Shenandoah Valley
- Rowena Cressell-Blickley - Grade 6 - Blue Mountain
- Nathan Derr - Grade 8 - Mahanoy Area
- Nora Digris - Grade 6 - North Schuylkill
- Gianna Donovan - Grade 8 - Shenandoah Valley
- Andrea Forro - Grade 7 - Tri-Valley
- Bryce Frymoyer - Grade 6 - Pine Grove Area
- Olivia - Gerlott - Grade 5 - Blue Mountain
- Elliott Getz - Grade 7 - Tri-Valley
- Ella Heming - Grade 4 - Pine Grove
- Grayson Hess - Grade 7 - Schuylkill Haven
- Harper Hoffman - Grade 7 - Williams Valley
- Grey Hopkins - Grade 5 - Minersville Area
- Padraic Kerns - Grade 8 - Pottsville Area
- Daniel Kim - Grade 7 - Assumption BVM
- Allsion Knecht - Grade 5 - Mahanoy Area
- Alivia Kroh - Grade 4 - Shenandoah Valley
- Annabelle Lemke - Grade 4 - Pine Grove Area
- Lena Lucht - Grade 6 - Tri-Valley
- Renee Machamer - Grade 6 - Williams Valley
- Romeo Marshall - Grade 6 - Tri-Valley
- Kayda Monberger - Grade 7 - North Schuylkill
- Stella Mongrain - Grade 8 - Assumption BVM
- Riley Nguyeno - Grade 4 - Schuylkill Haven
- Eva Ochenride - Grade 5 - Minersville Area
- Abigail Parson - Grade 5 - Williams Valley
- Liam Peddigree - Grade 4 - Schuylkill Haven
- Gage Penkauski - Grade 7 - Pine Grove
- Caylee Pytko - Grade 8 - Mahanoy Area
- Journey Randolph - Grade 5 - North Schuylkill
- Abigail Rhode - Grade 6 - Blue Mountain
- Olivia Rudloff - Grade 5 - Blue Mountain
- Kaitlin Salonga - Grade 5 - Blue Mountain
- Gregory Stump - Grade 8 - North Schuylkll