Washington Informer Hosts Competitive 2023 County Spelling Bee

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
By Richard D. Elliott
WI Contributing Reporter

With a crowd of more than 300 family members, teachers and special supporters, 25 students competed for the title of winner at the 2023 Prince George’s County Spelling Bee presented by the Washington Informer and Washington Informer Charities, hosted at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on March 17. Eighth grader Lesly Hernandez Martin walked away as the champion and will be granted automatic entrance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

This year’s Scripps competition is being held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Fort Washington, Maryland, a mere 30 minute commute from The Clarice.

Washington Gas, Pepco, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Comcast, Safeway, the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, Merriam-Webster, Silver Spring Signarama, the Clarice Performing Arts Center, the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education (FAME) were the sponsors of the 2023 Prince George’s County Spelling Bee. The Educational Systems Federal Credit Union provided shirts for the contestants and judges.

Tracye Funn, of Washington Gas, which has sponsored the scholastic event for more than 10 years, said, “the Spelling Bee is a fun, interactive, challenging way to remind youth about the importance of spelling.”

“I write speeches and information for press releases, and internal and external releases, and spelling is critical,” added Funn, who has been with Washington Gas more than 35 years, and is currently manager of Corporate Contributions.

Despite the birth and evolution of autocorrect, Tami Watkins, director of Regulatory Affairs with Comcast, said spelling is still key.