30 spellers to compete in South Dakota state bee

Carson Walker-South Dakota Newswatch

On Saturday at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, 30 elementary and middle students from schools around the state will have the same shot at such an experience when they compete in the South Dakota State Spelling Bee.

The winner will advance to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington where they will vie for the Scripps Cup during the 100th anniversary year of America’s longest-running educational competition.

Spelling no longer required at many schools

South Dakota News Watch, Dakota Wesleyan University and the South Dakota Humanities Council are sponsoring this year’s state bee at a time when many schools no longer require spelling tests as part of the curriculum.

That’s unfortunate, said Tressa Wede, assistant professor of education at DWU, who teaches two courses related to reading and writing.

“Spelling is more than just memorizing words,” she said. “It helps students understand that words are made up of distinct sounds that can be blended, segmented and manipulated.

“It is a key component of reading instruction that helps students decode words by applying spelling patterns and letter-sound correspondences. Through phonics, learners develop the ability to read and spell unfamiliar words, leading to greater reading fluency and comprehension.”

Spelling bees support those skills by helping students recognize spelling patterns and understand etymology and morphology, which helps them understand word structure and meaning, Wede said.

While school curriculums change, the Scripps National Spelling Bee reaches millions of students globally with the classroom materials it provides to schools enrolled in the yearlong program.

Participation in regional bees also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers.

Schools sending a student to the state bee:

Black Hills Christian Academy, Spearfish

Brandon Valley Intermediate School, Brandon

Calvary Christian School, Rapid City

Challenge Center Elementary School, Sioux Falls

Cornerstone School, Sioux Falls

Deuel School, Clear Lake

Estelline Junior High

Ethan School

Florence School

Garretson School

George S. Mickelson Middle School, Brookings

Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Sioux Falls

Holgate Middle School, Aberdeen

Hot Springs Elementary School

Hot Springs Middle School

Milbank Middle School

Piedmont Valley Elementary School

Platte-Geddes Elementary School

Robert Bennis Elementary School, Brandon

Saint Elizabeth Seton Central School, Rapid City

Saint Martin Lutheran School, Watertown

Saint Thomas More Middle School, Rapid City

Saints in the Making Homeschool, Rapid City

Scotland Middle Senior High School

Sharon F. Delzer Elementary School, Estelline

Stagebarn Middle School, Summerset

Sturgis Elementary School

Vermillion Middle School

Waverly South Shore School

Webster Elementary School, Yankton