Twenty-five Middle School Students Compete in
Higher Achievement’s First Regional Spelling Bee
Washington, DC – November 8, 2006: Higher Achievement announced today that the organization’s upcoming Spelling Bee will feature 25 middle school students from centers in both Washington, DC, and Alexandria, VA, marking the first time the event includes students from outside of the District. The Spelling Bee, sponsored this year by Capital One, is an annual event that showcases the accomplishments of students who participate in Higher Achievement’s award-winning academic enrichment program. Speakers will include Sheena Tuckson, Principal of Kelly Miller Middle School, the location of the regional bee, and Carolyn Berkowitz, Vice President of Community Affairs for Capital One. The event will be held Wednesday, November 15, at Kelly Miller School, and will begin with a reception at 6:00 pm followed by the bee from 6:45 pm until approximately 8:00 pm.
“The Spelling Bee is an event Higher Achievement looks forward to each year. Students, parents, mentors, and educators across the Greater Washington area turn out for an exciting evening that shows how learning is fun,” said Richard Anthony Tagle, Higher Achievement’s Executive Director. “Higher Achievement is dedicated to developing academic skills and habits in motivated middle school students from underserved neighborhoods. The Spelling Bee is just one way we celebrate the achievements of our hardworking and talented scholars.”
The Spelling Bee draws its participants from Higher Achievement’s four Achievement Centers in Washington, DC and one Alexandria, VA. Qualifying competitions are taking place on November 7th and 9th and will produce five winners from each of the five centers. The center winners create the pool of 25 contestants for the regional event. Higher Achievement opened the Alexandria location this past summer.
