FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – During American Education Week, most schools host events for parents and students to participate in.
Florence School District held their 10th annual spelling bee competition Saturday morning at North Vista Elementary School.
More than 300 parents sat inside the lunchroom as their kids competed to make it to the next round of the spelling bee.
“For your trials will just make you strong. You can make it. Yes you can”
That was the inspiration for the more than 100 kids sweating it out at the spelling bee competition.
“We try to keep them motivated. It’s for the kids and I like the fact that the kids look forward to it every year. The parents look forward to it. The teachers come out and give their own time,” mentioned Spelling Bee Coordinator Sam Fryer.
As the competition started judges asked students to spell words like grasshopper and sword but some words were a little tricky for an elementary student
Many students were just a letter shy of the correct spelling and parents say it would have been difficult for them too.
“Just its very nerve racking for the mom and the parents,” said parent Robin Day.
But even more nerve racking was facing a panel of judges while uttering each letter distinctly and loudly.
“It’s very, very, intense with all of the kids here and how you have to concentrate so much,” said third grade student Lincoln Howard.
Organizers say the growth of the spelling bee this year shows how the community is getting more involved.
“We’ve just been very blessed, very fortunate. The community has really bought into the bee and its grown to over a thousand kids,” Fryer said.
And that growth is because of parents who let their kids join the fun.
“I think that this is a great opportunity for children in Florence District One to be able to have an event held for the whole district is a great opportunity,” Day said.
The final spelling bee round will be at Lucy-T Davis Elementary School on November 21st at 9 a.m. where a first, second and third place winner will be announced.
