Submitted article
A Bucyrus sixth grader has reached an accomplishment that very few from the district have. Emma McAdams will be one of fifty-five students competing in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee at Ohio University March 22 at 9:30 a.m.
To qualify for the event, McAdams first had to win the local spelling bee, which she did successfully Jan. 13. Following her win, McAdams took an online test for spelling and vocabulary.
“The online test Emma completed successfully was administered in mid-February,” Gifted Coordinator Leanna Giesige said. “The test consisted of fifty questions, and students had to score at least a 37 to qualify for the Regional Spelling Bee.”
Since she learned of her qualification for the event, Emma has been working with other students to get even better at spelling prior to going to Athens.
“I’ve been working with a spelling coach that helps with all areas of spelling,” McAdams said. “It’s a great opportunity because I can ask questions about tips and tricks to help remember spelling rules, and we’ve been spelling words of different origins.”
The spelling coach working with McAdams was arranged through the cooperation of the district and Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. This individual is a volunteer donating her time to help McAdams and all the Crawford County students competing in spelling bee.
This regional contest is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. One student will qualify for the national competition in Washington, DC, a fact that’s not lost on Emma.
“I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never been farther than the Tri-County (Spelling Bee), and that makes me kind of nervous,” Emma said. “I am not assuming anything before it happens because I don’t want to get my hopes up. I am going to give my best. That’s all I can do.”
“We are very proud of Emma for what she has accomplished to this point,” Middle School Assistant Principal John Massara said. “We know that Emma will do very well in Athens, and wish her nothing but success as she competes and represents our school district.”
For more information about the spelling bee competitions in the Bucyrus City Schools, contact Giesige at giesige.leanna@moesc.net.