Spelling bees sending students to county bee

Hill County schools are in the midst of their annual  local spelling bees to get ready for the Hill County Spelling Bee which is set for Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Havre Middle School Assembly Room.

Hill County Superintendent of Schools Marie Deegan said the local spelling bees have been around "forever" and that 50 years ago she was in one in Fort Benton.

"They've been around for quite a few years," she said.

The winner of each district's bee advances to the county spelling bee, and the winners there advance to the state spelling bee.

St. Jude Thaddeus School held its bee Thursday, following right on the heels of Cottonwood Schools, which had its bee Wednesday.

North Star School's bee will held next Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Rudyard High School, while Gildford Colony Schools' spelling bee will be Jan. 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the school's upper grades classroom.

Sunnyside Intermediate School and Havre Middle School will have their bees, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. In the middle school the Assembly Room and Sunnyside's gymnasium.

A Davey Schools representative declined to comment on its spelling bee.

Information on bees from the The Highland Homeschool Association was not available.

Deegan said each school has to pay $165 to register their school.

She said she is looking for volunteers to help out at the county spelling bee.

People interested can contact her at the Hill County Courthouse at 265-5481 ext 2312.

"I will talk to them about what their interests are and strengths and we'll find a place for them if they are interested in volunteering," she said. "I always appreciate a volunteer."

She added that the deadline for people to volunteer is Wednesday, Feb. 5, but she will still accept people on the day of the event.