Get out your word list and dictionary, it’s spelling bee time again.  
Last spring, Orcas Island Public School held its first bee in many years. 
For participants and spectators alike, the bee was both thrilling and inspiring.   Finalists seventh grader Dylan Thompson and sixth grader Anthony Kaskurs went several rounds before the necessary two consecutive words were correctly spelled to determine the winner.
This year, all fourth through eighth graders from Orcas Elementary and Middle Schools, Christian School, Spring Street School, and Oasis program are encouraged to participate.
Class spelling competitions will take place March 4. Winners will advance to the all school competition being held March 18 at the Christian School. The grand prize will be an Ipad, thanks to generous sponsors and left over monies from last year’s bee. “Because a Scripp’s sponsor was not found in 2011 for our area, 45 schools from north Snohomish, Skagit, Island, Whatcom, and San Juan counties could not participate in the 2011 Scripp’s National Spelling Bee competition,” said organizer Tim Hance. “We are working to find a sponsor for 2012 and, in the interim, couldn’t let the students of Orcas Island down so we’re conducting our own 2011 All Schools Spelling Bee. The traditional school winner would advance to Scripp’s Regionals, with the Regional winner advancing to the national competition in Washington D.C.  The Apple iPad, while not Washington D.C., is an amazing educational tool and will hopefully prove to be a great motivator for all students.”
Financial sponsors include White Construction Group, West Beach Resort, Darvill’s Bookstore, The Gudgell Group at Windermere Orcas Island, All Islands Home Inspections, and San Juan Insurance.
Everyone is invited to a practice session being held at the Public School Library at 3:15 p.m. on March 1. Students can gain experience practicing the format of the Spelling Bee competition as well as spelling strategies.
The official spelling word lists are available from teachers and at http://www.myspellit.com. For more information, contact Tim Hance at 360-298-1163.