Broadview School to host Scripps Spelling Bee on March 7

Thursday, March 3, 2022 || By Community Editor || @maywoodnews

For the very first time, Lindop Elementary School, 2400 S. 18th Ave. in Broadview, will host one of only three Scripps Spelling Bee competitions in suburban Cook County, meaning the school’s spelling champion will have the advantage of the house rules during the competition.

Lindop will host 14 schools at the 12th annual West 40 South Cook Intermediate Service Center (ISC) Scripps Spelling Bee at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 7.

Kiana Mister, 10, a fourth grader, will represent Lindop District 92 at the West 40 bee. In a statement, school officials said Mister’s winning word was “hallway.”

Mister thanked her coaches — Lindop teachers Carolyn Dodder, Emily Rubenstein and Beth Ergas — for boosting her confidence after winning her class’ spelling bee when she was in third grade, according to the statement.

“Without a willingness to want to improve and compete, you don’t have a champion,” D92 Supt. Dr Janiece Jackson said, adding that wherever Mister goes, “she can put the spelling champion on her resume.”

“Kiana is very modest and better than she thinks she is,” Rubenstein said. “She started in third grade, preserved, and now she’s our district champion.”

According to the South Cook ISC websitethe service center is sponsoring this year’s regional Scripps Spelling Bee in partnership with Pepper Construction and Wight & Company.

“All public, private, or home-schooled students in ISC service areas may participate in the 12th Annual Scripps Spelling Bee events provided they have registered and registered with the Scripps National Spelling Bee,” according to the website.

First, second and third place finalists from three regional bees – the North Cook, South Cook and West 40 bees – will have the opportunity to compete in the ISC Scripps Championship regional event later this month.

The Regional Champion and one parent will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Scripps Spelling Bee competition held during Memorial Day week in the Washington, DC area.