UPDATE: Fourth annual Spelling Bee might return

UPDATE: The 4th Annual Spelling Bee was cancelled due to low registrations. Read more here: https://energeticcity.ca/2023/04/17/local-spelling-bee-cancelled-due-to-low-registrations/

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The 4th Annual Spelling Bee is on the verge of being cancelled due to low sign-ups. 

During the spelling bee, students from grades one to nine compete against their peers, with a winner selected from each grade.

Jessica Kalman, executive director for the Fort St. John Literacy Society, says only 14 kids have enrolled in the competition so far.

“If there’s only one or two kids per category, it’s quite challenging to make it a competition,” Kalman said.

The society’s 2023 Spelling Bee is supposed to take place at Margaret Ma Murray Community School on Saturday, April 22nd, starting at 11 a.m.

“It’s an opportunity for kiddos to not only be encouraged to lean into their literacy and their spelling skills but also be able to display their smarts in front of their peers,” said Kalman.

The winner of each category will receive a trophy to display in their school for the year for “bragging rights.”

“They [also] get their own medals to take home, and then there’s a hundred dollars for those who place first in each category as well.”

Once registered, kids will be given a long list of words that could be used in the spelling bee to study beforehand.

Those interested in registering are asked to fundraise for the Literacy Society’s After School Homework Help program, but it is not required.

The after-school program allows kids to bring homework from school once or twice a week to get additional help from volunteer tutors and the program coordinator.

To sign up for the Spelling Bee or for more information, the office can be reached at 250-785-2110 or email tmills@fsjliteracy.ca.