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Two students from Codington County will be among the 31 elementary and middle school students competing on Saturday, March 29, in the South Dakota State Spelling Bee, with the winner advancing to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., where they will vie for the Scripps Cup.
Sydney Wika
Brooklyn Borns
Eighth-grader Sydney Wika of St. Martin’s School in Watertown and Brooklyn Borns, a sixth-grader from Florence School, are the only two area students to qualify for the state bee.
Both girls won spelling bees at their schools to advance to the state event. The St. Matin’s bee was held Jan. 17 and the Florence bee on Dec. 13.
As part of their commitment to education, South Dakota News Watch and Dakota Wesleyan University are the official regional partners and will for the first time sponsor the state bee at DWU in Mitchell. This is the 100th anniversary year of America’s longest-running educational competition.
“Spelling forms the foundation of good communication, so it’s vital to encourage students to hone that skill. The state bee builds their confidence, rewards their hard work and ensures South Dakota is represented at the national competition,” said Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch.
Each year, the bee reaches millions of students across the country and around the world 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.
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.
