BANGOR, Maine — Neil St. John, a sixth-grader at Bangor Christian School, won the Penobscot County Spelling Bee on Saturday at Husson University’s Gracie Theater.
St. John correctly spelled the word “wanton” to capture the title. He was one of 38 students who competed. The victory means St. John qualifies for the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition in Washington, D.C. the week of May 24.
The format was an elimination-style competition held in front of an audience and a panel of judges. Students age 15 and younger in grades 5-8 from schools around Penobscot County competed in the event. Each school could send up to two students. Husson University’s Associate Professor of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dr. Sandip Wilson, presented the words to the students.
As the sponsor, Husson University will provide St. John and a parent or guardian with an all-expense-paid trip to the Washington, D.C. area for the national event. St. John will be one of two students representing Maine in the national competition.
Every fall, tens of thousands of schools enroll in the spelling bee program. Schools then conduct spelling bees at the classroom, grade, and/or school level. The winners of these local competitions then go on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.