Contact: Jolene Goldade
Communications Manager
952-848-3944
Jolgoldade@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edina seventh-grader wins Minnesota Seven County Metro Area Regional Spelling Bee for the second year in a row

Edina, Minn., March 18, 2010 – For the second year in a row, one Edina Public Schools student is headed to Washington, D.C. to test her spelling skills against the best students across the country.

Anja Beth Swoap, a Valley View Middle School seventh-grader, punched her ticket to the nation’s capital by outlasting 47 other Minnesota Seven County Metro Area Regional Spelling Bee contestants. The March 13 tournament, which stretched for 23 rounds and clocked in at almost five hours, came to an end when another contestant tripped up on the word ‘sumo’ – referring to the traditional Japanese wrestling style.

The victory will now qualify Swoap for the Scripps National Spelling Bee held June 2-4.

In addition to the hours spent weekly memorizing etymology and word roots, Swoap also has plenty of motivation this time around: last year she finished one point short on her first round written test of making the cut for the semifinals.

“After coming so close last year, I’m really glad I made it back this time,” Swoap said.

For more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit http://www.spellingbee.com/index.asp.

About Edina Public Schools:
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves a large portion of Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

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