JMCSS district-wide spelling bee to return for first time in 20 years

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson-Madison County School System will be having a very important competition soon.

Elementary and middle school students who are a part of JMCSS have been studying and competing for quite a few weeks now. Each school hosted their own spelling bee to find winners to compete in a district-wide competition.

“These students have competed in school spelling bees and now are advancing to our district bee on January 22. That will be at Liberty High School at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium there at Liberty. Guests are very much welcome,” said Krista Grace, library media specialist at Rose Hill.

Josue Calixto, a fourth grader who won the spelling bee at Rose Hill, spoke with us about how he studies for the competition.

“I just go and read the words everyday. I’m just hopeful. I’m confident I’m going to win this spelling bee,” said Calixto.

And whoever does, will take an online test to try and qualify for regionals. If they win regionals, you will see them on tv for the national spelling bee.

Terri Tims, a 7th grade English teacher, tells us why she thinks this competition is important.

“Any kind of learning that we can encourage can make a huge difference in students’ lives. I think students need competition. Competition inspires them. It is fun for them,” said Tims.

The students have been studying a list of 400 different words. The district-wide competition consists of students from third through eighth grade.

This is the first time JMCSS has held a district-wide spelling bee in over 20 years.

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