America’s oldest and most iconic national competition first began at the table of nine newspaper companies who created the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Little did they know that, 90 years later, their literacy efforts would reach 11 million students annually. In the hopes of becoming a Scripps National Champ, local spelling buffs from grades 3-8 competed to be the last one standing at the Regional Championship, hosted by Kankakee Valley REMC at Wheeler High School Thursday March 14.
“This is our eleventh year sponsoring the District Spelling Bee,” said Amanda Steeb,Communications/Marketing Director at Kankakee Valley REMC. “At KV REMC, we are always actively searching for a way to interact with and impact our youth. When the opportunity presented itself to sponsor this event, we didn’t think twice about it.”
Before the competition began, master of ceremonies Michael Rosta gave the kids some words of wisdom.
“Do like the pros do,” Rosta said. “Slow down, sound it out, ask questions, and, above all, think positively and you will achieve your goals.”
After 293 words and 14 rounds of spelling battle, eighth grader Nachiket Magesh won Thursday night’s 2019 Regional Spelling Bee after hours of tough competition in an event that requires all of one's mental fortitude. He was rewarded for his resiliency and will now travel to our nation’s capital to compete against other district winners from across the country.
“I was nervous after the first round but then I was very relaxed and focused,” Magesh said. “I’m really excited and am most looking forward to meeting my competitors and just taking in the experience.”
Magesh will be up against our country's very best, bright youth for the chance to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
We will be staying up to date on Magesh's progress, so stay tuned. For more information about KV REMC, visit their website https://www.kvremc.com/.
