Although younger generations are sometimes criticized for their dependency on autocorrect, great spellers are alive and well in Kane County schools. Narrowed down from 9,102 students, only eight spelled their way through multiple rounds to qualify for the Kane County Spelling Bee Final on Wednesday, March 16, at the Regional Office of Education.

From left to right are Dundee Middle School sixth-grader Parin Keerthi, Algonquin Middle School eighth-grader Justin Lanners, Cambridge Lakes Charter School fifth-grader Surya Ninad Bhamidi and Elgin Academy eighth-grader Roxanne Tang. PHOTO CREDIT: Kane County Regional Office of Education

Pictured from left to right are Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy fifth-grader Daania Laliwala, St. Patrick Elementary School seventh-grader Nick Wilson, Wredling Middle School seventh-grader Janina Mangulabnan and Immanuel Lutheran eighth-grader Anna Jerdee. PHOTO CREDIT: Kane County Regional Office of Education

For making it this far in the competition, all eight students will be awarded $25 gift certificates from the Chalkboard & Toy Town, an educational toy store specializing in active play, early childhood curriculum, puzzles, reading and much more. In addition, each student will receive two skate admissions provided by Funway Ultimate Entertainment Center in Batavia. Present during the event will be Kumon South Elgin, a Bee’s Knees level sponsor, to answer any questions about tutoring in reading and math.

In 2015, vocabulary was introduced to the spelling bee. Rounds will alternate between asking contestants on multiple choice vocabulary questions and the spelling out words. Some examples for study words include “eleemosynary”, “pulchritude”, “WYSIWYG” and “mawkish.”

The winner of the Kane County Spelling Bee will receive an expenses-paid trip to the National Spelling Bee from May 22 to May 25, 2016, in Washington, DC, as well as a copy of Encyclopedia Britannica and the Webster’s International dictionary. With a parent or guardian, the student will travel to the Smithsonian National Zoo, Mt. Vernon, take preliminary tests, enjoy an awards banquet and farewell party, all before the final competition for the national title on May 26. When they return from their exciting week, the Kane County winner will be awarded four tickets for any Kane County Cougars baseball game.

Funding for the Kane County Spelling Bee would not have been possible without the Kane ROE’s many local sponsors. The Regional Office of Education thanks the generosity of the following organizations:

Queen Bee Sponsorship Level:

Bee’s Knees Sponsorship Level: 

Busy Bee Sponsorship:

Prize Sponsorship:

About the Kane County Regional Office of Education

Led by Regional Superintendent of Schools Patricia Dal Santo, The Kane County ROE is located in Geneva and serves nine school districts. From teacher licensure assistance to professional development, the ROE’s mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership and perform regulatory functions. Learn more about the ROE’s offerings on Facebook, Twitter and by signing up for the semimonthly newsletter.