U.S. Embassy Kicks Off Annual Spelling Bee Competition

One hundred students from public and private schools in Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley have participated in the first regional round of the U.S.-Embassy funded Spelling Bee competition at the Baakline and Zahleh American Corners, the U.S. Embassy announced on Saturday.

Organized in partnership with USPEaK, the second annual Spelling Bee brings together young students to compete in spelling words in English that promote tolerance, coexistence, citizenship, and environmental stewardship, the U.S. mission said in a statement.

Through the Spelling Bee competition, the Embassy aims to rekindle students’ interest in correct English usage and contribute to improving their spelling abilities by providing strategies to increase vocabulary, memorize words, and learn new concepts.

Two hundred students from 20 public and private schools in the Bekaa and Mount Lebanon (Aley-Shouf) will participate in regional competitions in 2016, while more than 1,100 students participated in preliminary competitions within their schools. The second round of regional competitions and the final national round will be held in April 2016.

The American Corners are partnerships between the Public Diplomacy section of U.S. Embassy Beirut and local institutions.

In addition to books and resources about the U.S., American Corners host a wide array of programs including speaking events, book readings, movie screenings, workshops and activities for the local community.