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2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Please root for Akira at the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held May 29-31, 2013, and will air live on ESPN.
aio Foundation is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide programs, which build health, education and welfare amongst Hawaii's children and to provide inspiration for adults and children to become responsible for themselves.
In addition to the aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee, aio Foundation's other educational programs include The Young Messengers of Hawaii (Na Elele Opio Ko Hawaii Nei) Contest.
Special thanks to the Hawaii State Department of Education and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools
2013 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee Champion
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Congratulations to Akira Takabayashi Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
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Photo Credit: David Croxford |
Akira Takabayashi, an 8th grader from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on Kauai, was named the 2013 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee Champion at tonight's annual competition after correctly spelling "lamentation." Akira and his chaperone will receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent Hawaii in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held May 29-31, 2013, and will air live on ESPN.
"On behalf of the aio family of companies and all our community partners, we would like to extend a big 'congratulations' to Akira for becoming this year's 2013 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee champion," said Susan Eichor, president of aio. "Mahalo to all of this year's participants and to everyone who helped make this event a success. We wish Akira the best of luck as he prepares for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and we know he will represent Hawaii well."
Akira also received a perpetual trophy to display at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, a Hawaii State Champion Trophy, an unabridged Webster's International Dictionary, a 2013 United States Mint Proof Set and a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Online. In addition, all spelling bee finalists received a SWAG ("Spelling Winners Are Great!") bag, loaded with goodies from generous community sponsors. This is the third year that the competition has been coordinated by aio Foundation, with support from its community partners.
This year, a record number of 85 schools participated in seven district bees across the state (Honolulu, Central Oahu, Leeward Oahu, Windward Oahu, Big Island, Maui County, and Kauai) with the 14 best spellers (top two from each district) advancing to the final competition, which aired live on PBS Hawaii. Participants were from grades 5 through 8 and the youngest competitor was just 10 years old.
Click here to download the official press release.
2013 Press Releases
We would like to share with you some of the media coverage that we received this year. We were delighted that online, TV and print picked up the story, before and after the Bee.
The Garden Island
Kauai boy, family headed to D.C., national spelling bee (March 28, 2013)
Honolulu Civil Beat
Spelling Bee Champion Heads to D.C. (March 27, 2013)
Honolulu Star Advertiser
Kauai eighth grader wins Hawaii State Spelling Bee (March 24, 2013)
Leslie Wilcox Blogs
Kauai Boy is State Spelling Champ (March 23, 2013)
14 spellers due any moment... (March 23, 2013)
Midweek
Stung By The Bee (April 3, 2013)
Participating Schools for 2013
Schools still interested in enrolling can do so at: www.spellingbee.com
Big Island (14)Connections Public Charter School Central Oahu (11)Aiea Intermediate School Honolulu (16)Central Middle School |
Kauai (6)Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Leeward Oahu (12)August Ahrens Elem School Maui (16)Akaula School Windward Oahu (9)Hawaii Baptist Academy |
Major Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Media Sponsors
