Scripps National Spelling Bee organizers have now officially canceled the competition for this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The organization made the announcement Tuesday that the Bee will not be rescheduled for 2020 after the March 20 announcement that was postponed.
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“Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families. The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning. They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom, school and regional level,” Paige Kimble, executive director of the Bee said in a statement.
An update on the 2020 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Read our full statement here: https://t.co/QnpASlp7VL pic.twitter.com/1otWz6jQIb
— Scripps National Spelling Bee (@ScrippsBee) April 21, 2020
The winners of regional spelling bees will get recognized over the next few months.
This is the first time since World War II that the national finals have been canceled.
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The National Spelling Bee was founded in 1925.
The next National Spelling Bee is scheduled to be held June 1 to 3, 2021 at National Harbor in Maryland.
For more on the spelling bee, along with educational resources, click here.
