Dozens of fourth- through eighth-graders will vie today for the Central Valley spelling bee title and a trip to compete in a national spelling competition in Washington, D.C.
The 26th annual California Central Valley Spelling Bee starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St.
The spelling bee is presented by The Bee.
Sixty-one students, the top spellers among more than 200,000 eligible students from Sacramento and area counties, are scheduled to compete.
This year's spelling competition will be judged by Joan Borucki, director of the California State Lottery, and Cheryl Dell, Sacramento Bee publisher.
The winner will receive a seven-day trip to Washington in May to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The winner also will receive prizes courtesy of Scripps National Spelling Bee, Merriam Webster and The Bee.
Today's spelling bee is free and open to the public.
– Niesha Lofing
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