Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
A middle schooler at Andover Public Schools, Samuel Riley, has won the Sunflower State Spelling Bee. The Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Kansas Press Association, was held on Saturday, March 22 at Kansas Wesleyan University, (KWU). Riley’s winning word was columbarium, meaning a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns.
The competition comprised of 91 spellers from across the state of Kansas and lasted 10 rounds. Dr. Melissa Rohrer, Assistant Professor of English at KWU served as pronouncer for the competition and the judges, Dr. Vicki Schmidt, Gary Demuth and Jean Kozubowski, tracked every word and verified spelling. To prepare for the competition, spellers studied a 4,000-word list dubbed, “Words of the Champions,” provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Although they were given an extensive list to study, competitors needed to prepare for any word from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
“This year’s spellers showcased incredible talent and dedication. The competition was outstanding, and every participant should be proud of their performance!” said Amber Jackson, Sunflower State Spelling Bee Coordinator
Riley will advance to compete in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer near Washington, D.C. The semifinals on May 28 and the finals on May 29 will be televised on ION Television.
The young speller won the Butler County Spelling Bee back in February with his winning word of Anxiety.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, bringing special programming to competitors. In addition, Riley will experience a new mobile museum exhibit called “More Than Words,” as part of the celebrations at Bee Week.
In addition to qualifying for the national competition, Riley also came home with:
· The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award – a 2025 United States Mint Proof Set provided by Jay Sugarman, chairman and CEO of iStar Financial, in honor of his father. Riley will receive the prize in the summer.
· Britannica Online Premium – a one-year subscription for the premier online resource from Encyclopædia Britannica.
· Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online – a one-year subscription for the official word source for all levels of competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
· Travel and accommodations to Washington, D.C.
“The Kansas Press Association has sponsored the regional bee event for eight years,” said the Kansas Press Association in a news release. “The competition encourages the exploration of words and lifelong curiosity, with a focus on helping students set goals and dedicate time to study and prepare. Participation in the bee program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and poise under pressure.”
Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.
