Accompsett Middle School seventh grade student, Olivia Lipiec, is competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, beginning today in Maryland!
Olivia is one of just two Long Island students to qualify for the national tournament, and will be joining nearly 250 other children from across the country and as far as Guam.
Olivia was one of the top three finishers from the ScholarSkills/Scripps Long Island-Westchester Spelling Bee, which was held in March at Half Hollow Hills High School East.
Preliminary rounds of the national bee begin Tuesday, and the finals will be held Thursday. The champion will take home a trophy and $50,000 in cash, along with other prizes. The 245 spellers this year range from ages 8 through 15.
Olivia told Newsday she keeps calm by thinking of “something that makes me feel better, like being at home with my family or talking to friends," she said.
Way to go, Olivia!
Preliminary round is today. Here is the rest of the schedule to watch:
Semifinals: on May 29, from 8 to 10 p.m. (ET), tune in to Ion TV for the semifinals.
Finals: May 30, airing live from 8 to 10 p.m. (ET) on Ion TV.
Click to find more information on how to watch.
