What's all the buzz about? Spelling bee Saturday

The Niagara Region PTA is sponsoring the annual fourth- and fifth-grade spelling bee on Saturday, April 20, at the Lockport High School Auditorium, 250 Lincoln Ave.

More than 70 students in Western New York are buzzing with excitement as they prepare for this year's spelling bee. PTA units from 14 schools across Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties are sending their top spellers to compete in this annual event, which awards trophies and cash prizes to the top three spellers for both fourth-grade and fifth-grade students.

The PTA units represented this year include Albion, Anna Merritt, Barker, Drake Elementary, Emmet Belknap, George B. Southard, Huth Road, Kaegebein, Newfane, Royalton-Hartland, Starpoint, Tonawanda, Washington Hunt and WH Stevenson.

Competition for fourth-grade students will begin at 10 a.m. Competition for fifth-grade students will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Judges for this year's bee include Niagara Region PTA board members MaryBeth Carroll, Cindy Ames, Terri Emmert, Dr. John McKenna and Sean Hannam, as well as Dr. Doug Regan of the Starpoint Central School District.

Niagara Region PTA spelling bee chairwoman Christine Hannam, with the assistance of former chair Julie Brounscheidel, has coordinated the efforts of dozens of teachers, school administrators, PTA parents, and Lockport High School students who have volunteered to assist in creating a memorable day for area youth and to prove that spelling matters.