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C-A-N-C-E-L-E-D: Scripps National Spelling Bee canceled because of coronavirus pandemic

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Scripps National Spelling Bee organizers have now officially canceled the competition for this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The organization made the announcement Tuesday that the Bee will not be rescheduled for 2020 after the March 20 announcement that was postponed.

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“Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families. The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning. They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom, school and regional level,” Paige Kimble, executive director of the Bee said in a statement.

The winners of regional spelling bees will get recognized over the next few months.

This is the first time since World War II that the national finals have been canceled.

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The National Spelling Bee was founded in 1925.

The next National Spelling Bee is scheduled to be held June 1 to 3, 2021 at National Harbor in Maryland.

For more on the spelling bee, along with educational resources, click here.

Superior Spellers Compete At National Spelling Bee FILE PHOTO: Confetti falls over Arvind Mahankali of Bayside Hills, New York after the finals of the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee May 30, 2013 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The spelling bee is the latest event to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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