Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee is geared towards students in grades five through eight. Each school district may once again send one student for every 1-1000 K-12 student population to the regional bee. The fee for each Region Spelling Bee participant is $110, payable to Lakes Country Service Cooperative. This fee is separate from the fee which is required by Scripps. If funding is an issue, we encourage you to seek funding from your local PTO or other group that supports your academic endeavors. Your word list and official study booklet as well as other helpful materials may be accessed through the Scripps website: www.spellingbee.com.
The Region IV Spelling Bee was held on February 11, 2025.
ELI SCHLOSSER WINS REGION 4 SPELLING BEE, HEADS TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
It was a day filled with excitement, nerves, and incredible spelling skills as 25 of the region's top spellers took the stage at the Region 4 Spelling Bee, sponsored by Minnesota Service Cooperatives. After several intense rounds, Eli Schlosser from Fergus Falls emerged victorious, correctly spelling the championship word, abominable, to secure his place as the region's top speller.
The competition was fierce, with spellers demonstrating impressive vocabulary and composure. Elsie Beyer from Hancock finished as the 1st runner-up, while Elizabeth Tuper from Perham-Dent claimed the 2nd runner-up spot. The event, held on February 11 at Lakes Country Service Cooperative, brought together 20 are schools, all vying for a chance to advance.
Spelling Bee Coordinator Monica Thompson praised the students for their dedication and bravery. "All the spellers did fantastic," she said. "It takes courage, poise, and skill to stand in front of a room full of people and spell words under pressure. Every student here should be incredibly proud of their efforts."
Competitors spent months preparing by studying the Words of the Champions, a rigorous list of 4,000 words provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The event was made possible by the support of dedicated officials, including pronouncer Cris Oehler and judges Dee Johnson, Phyllis Rossow, and Dustin Steenblock, who carefully tracked each word and ensured accuracy throughout the competition.
Eli's journey isn't over yet. He will now represent Region 4 at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in the Washington, D.C. area during Bee Week, which takes place over Memorial Day week.
The opportunity to compete at the national level is surreal for Eli, who credits his success to hard work and family support. "I prepared for the bee by practicing words with the help of my family" Eli shared.
For years, Lakes Country Service Cooperative has proudly hosed the Region 4 Spelling Bee, fostering a love of learning and encouraging students to challenge themselves. The bee not only builds vocabulary and language skills but also helps students gain confidence in public speaking and develop resilience under pressure.
Congratulations to Eli and all of the talented spellers who participated! We wish Eli the best of luck as he represents our region at the national bee!
