OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) – Olathe public schools are accustomed to sending students in the district to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Closer to home, the OPS Spelling Bee is one of the largest academic competitions during the school year. Thursday afternoon, 47 students competed at Summit Trail Middle School.
“Our spelling bee appears to be one of those academic pieces that enables students who have a strength and passion in that area to excel and achieve,” said assistant superintendent for elementary education, Dr. Tim Reeves.
Bee winner, Manu Sripathi, has his ticket stamped for the Washington, DC area. There, he will compete in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
“Olathe is unique in that our winning student goes straight to the National Spelling Bee,” Reeves said. “There is no level between here and the national spelling bee. It’s a great opportunity for the Olathe boys.”
The district has had multiple national champions in the past 15 years.
“We’ve experienced that a couple of times now,” Reeves said. “We’re always on the lookout for the next national spelling bee winner. This is a really important thing for our kids in our community.
Reeves touted the district’s commitment to excellence in competition across the board, from academics to athletics.
“They work with parents or work at school,” she said. “Some work with external people. This is their opportunity to take the stage and do their thing.
The 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the Washington DC area from May 28 to June 3.
