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RSVBee Invitational Returns For 2020 Scripps National Spelling BeeCINCINNATI, Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scripps National Spelling Bee is introducing new features to its popular invitational program, RSVBee, to enhance the annual "Bee Week" experience for more champion spellers and their families. RSVBee is a participation pathway that qualifies more spellers for the national finals. It is the only way students living in unsponsored regions can advance and is an additional opportunity for the best spellers in the country to compete on the national stage. "We've known for many years that large numbers of excellent spellers have had limited access to the national finals or no pathway at all," said Paige Kimble, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. "We created RSVBee to address this very issue and make our iconic competition accessible to a wider population of children who love words and language and enjoy competitive spelling. "We continue to improve and refine the RSVBee invitational part of our program, now in its third year, with a focus on fairness, accessibility, maintaining the integrity of the competition and delivering a quality Bee Week experience for all," Kimble said. The Bee will now offer financial aid packages to spellers who qualify for RSVBee but whose families might not be able to afford the entry fee and cost of traveling to National Harbor, Maryland. The narrowed field of about 400 spellers for 2020, down from last year's 562, is a direct response to survey feedback from spellers, parents and sponsors of local spelling bee programs who favored a smaller cohort of spellers. "The Bee is always striving to improve the competition and camaraderie for the spellers who attend Bee Week," Kimble said. "We're pleased to offer financial assistance through RSVBee to ensure we provide opportunities for the nation's best spellers." RSVBee Eligibility and Application Process
The Bee will issue RSVBee invitations based on past performance in the national finals, grade level, participation in an unsponsored region or the largest, most competitive regions. The deadline for parents to accept their RSVBee invitation and pay the $1,500 participation fee is April 7, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Financial Aid Parents can apply for financial aid after receiving an RSVBee invitation. Children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch are eligible for financial help. The Bee will verify financial aid applications and award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. More information about RSVBee is available here. The 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee is May 24-30. About the Scripps National Spelling Bee: About Scripps: Contacts:
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rsvbee-invitational-returns-for-2020-scripps-national-spelling-bee-300972142.html SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company |