NZ Vegemite Spelling Bee media release

Download pdf versions of media releases here: Spellers sought for national spelling bee Sponsorship saves Spelling Bee Still plenty of time for Spelling Bee
20 January 2009 Spellers sought for national spelling bee Some Year Nine students will have spelling on their mind these holidays as they cram lists of words in preparation for the NZ VEGEMITE Spelling Bee 2009. The Spelling Bee, now in its fifth year, is a great opportunity for students who are about to embark on college life. The event is designed to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, and develop correct English usage. What the students will be most interested in however, says Janet Lucas, spelling bee event manager, is the prize package which for the overall spelling champion is a return trip for two to Washington DC to compete in the 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. There are also airfares to the Final in Wellington on Saturday 21 March, Franklin electronic dictionaries, tuition at the Kip McGrath Education Centres and subscriptions to the New Zealand Listener. "There is about $20,000 worth of prizes so it is a great incentive to take part, says Janet. The NZ VEGEMITE Spelling Bee 2009 is open to all Year 9 students under the age of 16 and able to travel to the United States. "It is amazing to think that this year will see our fifth speller travel to Washington DC to compete in the world's biggest spelling bee. For the four former New Zealand Spelling Champions - three girls and a boy - the trip has been a once in a life time experience. Thomas North, from Hamilton Boys' High School, traveled to Washington DC last year and whilst he says he was disappointed he did not progress after Round One - he tripped over the word meniscus - he says he will never forget the trip. "It's a great thing to be a part of. Give it a go!" he says. Spellers keen to enter can register on www.spellingbee.co.nz They have summer to study a word list of 300 words to help them prepare for their regional competition. Janet says the NZ VEGEMITE Spelling Bee uses everyday words, unlike the US final that is well known for its often obscure, tough words. Karen Wheelahan, sales and marketing manager, says Kraft Foods is delighted to be supporting New Zealand's Spelling Bee with its number one spread, Vegemite. "There are strong synergies between the two brands. Vegemite is loaded with vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin B, great for vitality and keeping minds bright and attentive," she says. The other supporters are The New Zealand Listener, ZM, Franklin Electronic Publishers, Oxford University Press and the New Zealand Dictionary Centre. For information about competition dates, registration, study and the rules, go to www.spellingbee.co.nz. For more information contact: Janet Lucas Event Manager NZ VEGEMITE Spelling Bee 2009 Phone 021 709 124 Email info@spellingbee.co.nz
24 March 2008 New Champion Speller Hamilton Boys' High School student Thomas North is the first male to win the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee. His prizes include air fares for two to Washington DC, accommodation and spending money so he can compete in the US Scripps Spelling Bee at the end of May. Thomas says he will be brushing up on his American spelling with the new Merriam Webster dictionary he also won although he finds their idiosyncrasies - such as no 'u' in colour or flavour – a nuisance. Thomas beat six other boys and five girls to win his title yesterday. He says the competition was fun, but tough, with lots of words in there designed to trip up the contestants. It took 22 rounds before he won with the word flotilla. The last ten rounds were head-to-head with Hugo Carnell from Western Springs College in Auckland who tripped up on monotheistic. Competition spokeswoman Janet Lucas said the competition was a thriller, which could have gone either way between Thomas and Hugo. "They were both very good spellers." Abbas Nazari, who came to New Zealand as a refugee from Afghanistan, was third. He represented Burnside High School from Christchurch. This is the fourth year for the competition.
20 February 2008 Still plenty of time for Spelling Bee Year Nine students interested in the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee still have plenty of time to prepare says Janet Lucas, event manager of the Spelling Bee. The regional Spelling Bees kick off in less than three weeks time. "Students who put aside a bit of time each evening should be able to master the word list which will be used in the first round of the competition," says Janet. This is Spelling Bee's fourth year and Janet says it will be interesting to see who will represent New Zealand at the 81 st US Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington DC. "Whilst an equal number of boys and girls enter the Spelling Bee, the champion speller for the past three years has been a girl. "In the US it has been the opposite. Since 2000 it had a stream of boy winners until a girl wrestled the title back in 2006 but last year the champion speller was a boy again," says Janet. "I think this shows that whilst good spellers are often voracious readers, know basic spelling rules and understand how words are formed, winning a Spelling Bee often involves an element of luck." she says.. The New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee 2008 is open to all Year 9 students under the age of 16 and eligible for a passport. "There is about $20,000 worth of prizes so it is a great incentive to take part, says Janet. Hamish McDouall, a 39-year-old author, (and the Labour Party's candidate for Whanganui in this year's general election) is the word pronouncer at the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee National Final in Wellington - a role he has filled since the event started. Hamish shot to prominence in 1989 when he won Sale of the Century , followed by Mastermind in 1990 on his expert topic of the life and works of David Bowie. A former lawyer, Hamish says it is an honour to be asked to front the Spelling Bee final. "I was honestly completely thrilled to be asked to be involved. It is such an enjoyable experience - I wouldn't miss it for the world." Hamish says there is a lot of similarity between game shows and the Spelling Bee competition. "Both are time pressured and demand performing in front of an audience and cameras. The pressure can affect you and it can be quite nerve- racking. The competition, inspired by the American Oscar-nominated movie documentary Spellbound, is overseen by a charitable trust. For information about competition dates, registration, study and the rules, go to www.spellingbee.co.nz. For more information contact: Janet Lucas Event Manager New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee 2008 Phone 021 709 124 Email info@spellingbee.co.nz The dates and locations of the regional spelling bees are: • Dunedin, Monday 10 March • Christchurch, Tuesday 11 March • Auckland, Thursday 13 March • Hamilton, Friday 14 March • Wellington, Monday 17 March • New Zealand National Spelling Bee Final, Wellington, Saturday 22
Sponsorship Saves Spelling Bee Media Release - Tuesday 6 November 2007 A much-loved thick black spread will ensure New Zealand's national spelling competition can continue. Pupils at Auckland Normal Intermediate School, Mount Eden, celebrated the launch of the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee in association with The New Zealand Listener today with a quick-fire round of spelling along with a few shots of the vitamin B rich spread on bread. Karen Wheelahan, sales and marketing manager, says Kraft Foods is delighted to be supporting New Zealand's Spelling Bee with its number one spread, Vegemite. "There are strong synergies between the two brands. Vegemite is loaded with vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin B, great for vitality and keeping minds bright and attentive. "The Spelling Bee's focus is to challenge these young minds, extending their skills with spelling, vocabulary and themselves," she says. The announcement this side of Christmas means next year's intake of year nine students can gear up for the popular contest even though it is still months away. Spellers from around the country can participate in one of the five regional spelling bees for a chance to compete in the National Vegemite Spelling Bee Final in Wellington at the end of March next year. The New Zealand Spelling Champion wins an all expenses paid trip for two to Washington DC so they can compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. As host of the international competition, Scripps is implementing a new registration fee in 2008 for all participating schools including those in New Zealand. Kraft's sponsorship will cover this levy for all schools which means the competition can continue. Janet Lucas, Event Manager, New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee, says the spirit of the Spelling Bee is to ensure that there are no financial hurdles that prevent spellers from taking part. "It is a huge relief that Kraft's sponsorship also covers this levy. It means in the future more young New Zealanders will get the chance to go to what is regarded as the Olympics of the spelling world especially after the incredible performance of our speller, Kate Weir, who made it to the semi-finals this year," she says. Roger Hall, Playwright and Patron of the New Zealand Spelling Bee says next year will be the fourth year for the spelling bee and he is pleased there is a national event that challenges students to hone their spelling prowess. Spellers interested in showing off their spelling skills at next year's spelling bee should check out the website, www.spellingbee.co.nz Other sponsors to the New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee are the New Zealand Listener, ZM and Franklin Electronic Publishers. For more information contact: Janet Lucas Event Manager New Zealand Vegemite Spelling Bee Phone 021 709 124 Email info@spellingbee.co.nz