Welcome to the Kansas Senior Spelling Bee web site!
The 2nd annual Kansas Senior Spelling Bee will be held Friday, October 3, 2008 in Salina, Kansas. It will be at the Salina BiCentennial Center in Heritage Hall (get directions) from 9:30 to about 11:30 a.m. First prize is a trip to the national contest in Wyoming.
Anyone 50 years or older is eligible. The contest resembles the Scripps youth contest with easier words and assistance for people needing help hearing or writing. There is a written contest of 50 words followed by 15 finalists participating in an oral contest to select the winner.
Salina held a contest in 1999 then all of Saline County was included and their contest continues today. In 2006, people from 18 counties participated at the Senior Fair in Salina. (see rules)
People participate in senior spelling bees for the challenge, to relive memories of when they were young, to show their kids they can do it, for bragging rights and mainly for FUN. We hope you will join us for this year's contest.
2008 State Spelling Bee Judges Announced
Judges for the Kansas Senior Spelling Bee will be, Dr. Phillip Kerstetter, Salina; Senator Stephan Morris, Hugoton; and Dr. Andy Tompkins, Pittsburg.
Dr. Kerstetter is president and CEO of Kansas Wesleyan University at Salina. His career has spanned more than 35 years in public and private higher education including Thiel College and Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. He is a recognized authority on assessment and strategic planning.
Senator Morris serves as President of the Kansas Senate. He has represented the 39th District since 1992. He is a farmer and served in the Air Force. He has served on numerous civic organizations and his special interests are education, budget, agriculture, energy, and technology.
Dr. Thompkins is the Dean at the College of Education, Pittsburg State University. He has served as high school teacher, principal, superintendent, university professor and Commissioner of Education for the state of Kansas. He has been selected as Kansas Superintendent of the year, Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, Governor's Award of High School Activities and Leadership Kansas Alumnus of the Year.
The Kansas Senior Spelling Bee is set for 9:30 a.m. October 3, 2008 in the Bicentennial Center, 800 The Midway, Salina, Kansas. (get directions) The contest is open to any Kansas resident who is 50 or older on October 1. Spectators are welcome.
The grand prize is a trip for two to the AARP Magazine National Spelling Bee, which will be next June in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Sponsors are the Salina Senior Center, Salina Parks and Recreation 50-Plus, the Saline County Commission on Aging, Humana Insurance, RSVP, the Association of Retired School Teachers, Kansas Area Agencies on Aging andd AARP.
The entry fee is $5. Entry forms are available by calling the Senior Center at (785) 827-9818, or by going online to www.salhelp.org/aging/spellingbee (click here to get a registration form register) . Completed entry forms are to be submitted to the Senior Center by September 10, 2008.
