ONEONTA – DCMO BOCES announced the successful enrollment of 20 schools in the SCRIPPS Spelling Bee competition.

According to school registrations, more than 1,000 students will compete at the local level. The event, sponsored by The Oneonta Daily Star, marks the 14th year of sustained commitment to endeavors that improve students’ literacy and leadership.

The regional competition invites 35 schools in Delaware, Chenango, Otsego, and Madison counties. This year’s competition retained 100 percent of all 2015 participating schools and added a new homeschool team.  Martha Ryan, Program Coordinator for DCMO BOCES, said, “The strongest indicator of success this year is the expanded support from The Oneonta Daily Star and the early enrollment. The deadline for enrollment is December 11, and we already have excellent representation from our schools,”  

School districts in the region have until the end of January to conduct a school level Spelling Bee. The school champion has the opportunity to compete at the regional competition to be held on March 5, 2016, at the SUNY Oneonta Goodrich Theater. The use of this venue is possible thanks to the kind contribution of the SUNY Oneonta Foundation the Science Discovery Center.

“This type of event is possible because of many passionate partners who believe in enrichment opportunities for our students,” said Ryan, who also commented about the participation of educators in this program. “Our devoted pronouncers Mrs. Julia P. Suarez Hayes, Assistant Professor of English at Hartwick College and Dr. Paul French, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY Oneonta return to support our students.”