Scripps Spelling Bee

IU School of Education is a proud sponsor of the Scripps Spelling Bee

The IU School of Education in Indianapolis hosted the Indianapolis Regional Bee on March 19th, 2023.

The Regional Spelling Bee was open to students in grades 3 through 8 who have excelled in their school and district spelling bee competitions. These students have worked tirelessly to perfect their spelling skills and put their knowledge to the test in front of friends, family, and the surrounding community.

This 2023 competition saw twenty-five talented spellers representing 19 schools throughout the Hamilton and Marion counties. The eventual winner, Gavin Sigua, went on to compete in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, representing the Indianapolis region.

In addition to qualifying for the national competition, Sigua also wins these prizes:

  • The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award is a 2023 United States Mint Proof Set provided by Jay Sugarman, chairman and CEO of iStar Financial, in honor of his father.
  • The Britannica Online Premium is a one-year subscription for the premier online resource from Encyclopædia Britannica. The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online is a one-year subscription for the official word source for all levels of competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
  • IU Indianapolis Academic Scholarship is a $10,000 financial award paid out over four years should Sigua choose to attend IU Indianapolis.
  • Rotary Club of Indianapolis Travel Stipend is a $1500 financial award to assist Sigua and family with travel and lodging expenses for Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC area.

Learn more about his results here!

This was the first year the IU School of Education sponsored the regional bee event. The competition encourages the exploration of words and lifelong curiosity, with a focus on helping students set goals and dedicate time to study and prepare. Participation in the bee program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and poise under pressure.

Photos from the 2023 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee

Tim Williams, Scripps Bee Regional Coordinator, and Interim Assistant Dean, welcomes the spellers to the Regional Spelling Bee.
Trophies for the winners on display during the competition.
One of the participants is asked to spell their word during the competition.
Eventual winner, Gavin Sigua, asking the moderator a question about the given word's origin.
Lasana Kazembe, Ph.D., moderator of the Spelling Bee, listening to the speller give their response.
A speller looks up to think, hoping to spell the word correctly.
Another speller asks the moderator a question.
Gavin Sigua, winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee, spells the word, “connoisseur” correctly.
William Selzer, receives the runner-up trophy from Tim Williams.
Gavin Sigua, winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee, receiving the first-place trophy from Tim Williams.
Gavin Sigua, and Tambra Jackson, Ph.D., Dean at the School of Education, share a congratulatory moment.
Gavin Sigua, along with members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis who served as judges for the competition, share their congratulations to the winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee.
Gavin Sigua holding up the first-place trophy and a certificate signifying his advancement to compete in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee.