Spelling Bee mulligan

After publicly declaring that they will no longer sponsor the local spelling bee which resulted in a call for someone to step up, and the Nashville Scene being right there to do so, the Tennessean has recanted and is now going to host the spelling bee. This e-mail to coordinators yesterday:

From: "Spradlin, Melissa" MSPRADLIN@tennessean.com

November 6, 2007

After much thought and evaluation, The Tennessean has made the decision to continue our sponsorship of the Middle Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee. This means that schools in this area will have the opportunity to participate in the Middle Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee and the winner of that bee will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Belmont University will co-sponsor the bee with The Tennessean this year, as they did last.

I have notified Scripps National Spelling Bee of our decision and that I am in the process of notifying our local contacts in this region. They have reopened registration for this region. If your schools want to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee eligibility and qualifying structure, then they need to register with Scripps at www.spellingbee.com as soon as possible.

(snip)

Ann Zangri, 615-259-8397 or nie@tennessean.com, and Thom Storey, 615-460-5447 or storeyt@mail.belmont.edu, will be coordinating this yearʼs Middle Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee.

Sincerely,

Melissa J. Spradlin