Tallahassee Student Competes in National Spelling Bee

News Summary

Cecily Dean, a 13-year-old from Tallahassee, is set to showcase her spelling skills at the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. Competing against 242 scholars from across the nation, Cecily represents Florida and has gained support from Envision Credit Union. The competition, held at the Gaylord National Resort, includes several rounds and will be broadcast live, celebrating a century of academic excellence in spelling.

Tallahassee – Thirteen-year-old Cecily Dean, a student from Tallahassee, Florida, is set to compete in the prestigious 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 27th to May 29th, 2025. Cecily will face off against 242 other scholars from across the United States, showcasing her spelling skills in what has become a celebrated national tradition.

This year’s spellers represent all 50 states and Cecily is among the 12 contestants from Florida. The competition will take place at the Gaylord National Resort, and all rounds will include preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. The semifinal and final rounds will be broadcast live across multiple networks, including ION, Bounce, and Grit, as well as streamed online via spellingbee.com and through encore presentations by Scripps News.

Cecily’s participation is made possible through sponsorship by Envision Credit Union, which was founded by educators in Leon County. The credit union values investing in future generations and recognizes local educational achievements. The Scripps National Spelling Bee serves to celebrate academic excellence, and this year marks a century since the first competition, held on June 17, 1925, with just nine participants.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a culmination of rigorous spelling contests that begin in classrooms in September, proceed to regional competitions in early spring, and finally lead to the national stage. Competitors must be 15 years old or younger and cannot have passed the eighth grade. Notably, past champions are ineligible to compete again, ensuring that fresh talent is spotlighted each year.

Cecily Dean, beyond her prowess in spelling, is well-rounded with interests in music and martial arts. She plays several instruments, including the flute, violin, ukulele, and piano, and aspires to join an orchestra as a violinist in the future. Additionally, she holds a red belt in taekwondo and has a passion for reading, particularly the Harry Potter series, prompting engaging family discussions about the books. She is also an active member of the Junior Classical League, which focuses on Greek and Roman culture.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is known for its significant cash prizes, a champion trophy, and various rewards for finalists, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists. With a rich history of previous Florida winners, including Bruhat Soma and Dev Shah, the competition remains a battleground for national talent, as evidenced by Tallahassee’s former participant, Allie Windsor, who competed in the preceding year.

With the eyes of the nation on them, contestants like Cecily embody dedication and academic achievement as they compete for victory in this highly esteemed national event.

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Additional Resources

• Tallahassee.com: Tallahassee Buzzes into National Spelling Bee with Local Student
• Wikipedia: Scripps National Spelling Bee
• WTXL: Tallahassee Student Headed to Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland
• Google Search: Scripps National Spelling Bee
• Tallahassee.com: How to Watch the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025
• Encyclopedia Britannica: National Spelling Bee
• Tallahassee.com: Gordon McLeod Spells His Way to Victory in Leon County Spelling Bee
• Google News: Spelling Bee News

Author: HERE Tallahassee