DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — May 7, 2007 — Baumholder High School 7th grader, Rachel Money heads to Washington, D.C. to represent schools from DoDDS-Europe in the annual National Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee on May 30 - 31. Rachel is the daughter of Army Lt. Col. Michael and Lisa Money.

The National Spelling Bee is sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Foundation. In Europe, the Spelling Bee is sponsored as a collaborative effort of the European PTA, Stars and Stripes, and participating schools. Each sponsor organizes a spelling bee program in its community. The champion of the sponsor's final spelling bee advances to the finals in Washington, D.C.

This is the 80th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Louisville Courier-Journal started the event with nine contestants in 1925. In 1941 Scripps assumed sponsorship of the program. There was no Scripps National Spelling Bee during the World War II years of 1943, 1944, and 1945. Co-champions were declared in 1950, 1957, and 1962. Of the 82 champions, 43 have been girls and 39 have been boys. (Source: http://www.spellingbee.com/about.as)

The spelling bee program not only helps students improve their spelling, but it also helps them increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will benefit them throughout life. In general, the program is open to students who have not reached their 16th birthday on or before the date of the national finals and who have not passed beyond the eighth grade at the time of their school finals.

European PTA organizes the spelling bee program for Europe through local PTA affiliates at DoD Schools. The champion of the final European Spelling Bee, held this year on March 17, 2007, always advances to the finals in Washington, D.C. The European Stars and Stripes helps sponsor the spelling bee annually for the European PTA and provides support and funding.

According to Baumholder MS/HS Principal Danny Robinson, Rachel is a high achieving and talented student who makes friends easily and through her leadership qualities is an excellent role-model.

Rachel, who hails from San Antonio, Texas, is involved in many school activities including MATHCOUNTS, Brain Bowl, and Student Council. She is also a member of the local community swim team and plays softball. Among her many interests are music (clarinet and electric guitar) and reading (favorite author J.K. Rowling). Rachel says she loves the Spelling Bee because she thrives on competition.

Competition Day One: Wednesday, May 30
The Preliminaries (Rounds One and Two):
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT

The Quarterfinals (Rounds Three and Four):
2:00 to 5:30 p.m. EDT

Competition Day Two: Thursday, May 31
The Semifinals (Presented by Leapfrog live on ESPN):
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT

The Championship Finals will be aired live on ABC from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT. Interested media can find information on credentials at http://www.spellingbee.com/media.asp.

For more information on the Europe PTA Spelling Bee, contact:
April Whatley
European PTA President
or Spelling Bee Chair, Mary Wilson
(0049) 631-536-7273
office@europeanpta.org

For interviews with Rachel Money, contact:
Principal Danny Robinson
Baumholder MS/HS
(49) 0678-35725
danny.robinson@eu.dodea.edu

For complete information on the National Spelling Bee, visit
http://www.spellingbee.com/about.asp