Whether it's the National Spelling Bee or Geography Bee the Teacher's Unions have made sure that they won't be embarrassed on the national stage by forbidding our brightest from competition. Let's 'thank a teacher' for this.

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Omaha World-Herald [website]

2009 Midwest Spelling Bee

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - approx. 12:30 p.m.
Location: The Harper center on the Creighton University Campus

About the Midwest Spelling Bee:
Each year, nearly 90 students from Nebraska and western-Iowa compete in the Omaha World-Herald's Midwest Spelling Bee. The students earn the right to compete in the Midwest Spelling Bee by winning their county or district bees. The winner of the Midwest Spelling Bee receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete against champion spellers from across the country in the Scripps National Spelling Bee the end of May. The Omaha World-Herald is proud to sponsor The Midwest Spelling Bee since 1929.

From the FAQ section...

FAQ:
Who can participate in the Midwest Spelling Bee?
The Midwest Spelling Bee is the preliminary to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held each spring in Washington, D.C. The competition is open to students through the 8th grade and not reached their 16th birthday. All schools - public, private or charter - are eligible to participate. Homeschooled students are also eligible to compete.


At least they are able to compete in this one.
  :)

Wow! In direct contrast to an article I read just yesterday. Preesh the head's up.

This certainly is some sign of progress though it isn't on the National Stage.

notseinfeld wrote on Jan 13^th, 2009 at 11:22am:

Wow! In direct contrast to an article I read just yesterday. Preesh the head's up.

You're welcome.
:)


notseinfeld wrote on Jan 13^th, 2009 at 11:22am:

This certainly is some sign of progress though it isn't on the National Stage.

I did more research and from what I could find... you
[and the article] are correct as far as competing in the
Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

Eligibility
In general, the program is open to students who have not reached their 15th birthday on or before September 1, 2008; who have not passed beyond eighth grade on or before February 1, 2009; and who attend schools that enrolled for participation during the 2008-09 academic year.  A complete list of eligibility requirements may be found in the Rules for Local Spelling Bee.

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Rules
(2) The speller must attend a school that is officially enrolled with the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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:(


Edit to add:
Are the home-schooled kids in for a big let down [not eligible]
even if they do win the Midwest Spelling Bee [per the Scripps National Spelling Bee rules]?

2009 Midwest Spelling Bee

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - approx. 12:30 p.m.
Location: The Harper center on the Creighton University Campus

About the Midwest Spelling Bee:
Each year, nearly 90 students from Nebraska and western-Iowa compete in the Omaha World-Herald's Midwest Spelling Bee. The students earn the right to compete in the Midwest Spelling Bee by winning their county or district bees. The winner of the Midwest Spelling Bee receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete against champion spellers from across the country in the Scripps National Spelling Bee the end of May. The Omaha World-Herald is proud to sponsor The Midwest Spelling Bee since 1929.

 [smiley=confused.gif]

Notable home-schooled individuals
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hukt awn foniks werkt fer mee, I dint kneed a lotta skulin.........but thas jus me.........

Joe

I was homeschooled through Jr High/High School for many of the reasons listed in that Wikipedia link - at least all the ones that allude to parental control.

As a result I can diagram a sentence and generally spell well. I used to have alot of poems memorized too. However, college was a bear when it came to social studies, math and sciences.

I realize there are many good reasons for it, but it wasn't for me.

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Best,

George