Verbal Victory Spelling Bee To Be Held

Bermuda’s new annual spelling bee competition, Verbal Victory, will be launched on May 22, 2024, at Hamilton City Hall.

A spokesperson said, “There’s a buzz in the air! A new and exciting spelling bee competition awaits Bermuda’s school children. Verbal Victory – Bermuda Spelling Bee [the Bee], a new competition to be held annually with effect from the 2024/25 school year, will be officially launched by Her Excellency the Governor in a ceremony on the steps of Hamilton City Hall on Wednesday, 22nd May, 2024, commencing at 12:15 p.m.

“The launch will feature brief remarks from the Hon. Justice Norma Wade-Miller, Chairman of the Bee’s organizing committee, the Mayor of Hamilton, former spelling bee winners and performances by the choirs of Northlands Primary School and Warwick Academy Primary School. A “Name the Bermuda Spelling Bee Mascot” contest will also be launched for students.

“The new competition will be fully implemented during the 2024/25 school year. It will be open to Bermuda’s public, home-schooled and private school children aged 9-13 and is designed to enhance not only their spelling skills, but also their cognitive, literacy and life skills. Participating students will be equipped with tools that will help them to develop a rich vocabulary and to express themselves with clarity and confidence.

“In the new school year, teacher leaders in each school will be appointed to assist students who choose to participate in the Bee. The students will prepare for the Bee by learning words set out in the printed and/or digital version of a booklet provided by the Bee organizers. Preliminary competitions will be held in Eastern, Central and Western zones, with the winning students moving to the Semi-Finals and then the Island-wide televised Final.

“Prizes will be awarded to the overall winner of the competition and to the remaining finalists. All students who participate will receive some form of recognition. It is hoped that arrangements can be made for the overall winner to compete in the final of the Scripps National Spelling Bee which is held annually in the Washington, DC area.”

The Hon. Justice Norma Wade-Miller said, “I was involved in promotion of the 1979 Spelldown competition. I recall fondly the joy and reward experienced by the young participants at that time. It is my hope and expectation that participants in the 2024/25 edition of Bermuda Spelling Bee will experience similar joy and fulfilment.”

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