March 18, 2015. Louisville, KY.   – Students from around Kentucky and Southern Indiana will compete in the 22^nd annual Ford Motor Company Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21st.  The competition starts at 11 a.m. and will be hosted at a new location this year, in the Bomhard Theatre at the Kentucky Center for the Arts (501 W. Main Street in Louisville). 63 students representing 60 counties will compete on Saturday.  They qualified by winning their respective school and county bees.

Said Kimberly Hofmann, Ford Zone Manager for the Cincinnati region: “Ford’s commitment to driving a brighter future in Kentucky is well served by supporting this important educational event. As one of the top employers in the state, Ford is proud to help recognize the dedicated and talented students from all over the region in the Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee.”

The overall champion of this year’s Spelling Bee will receive the John & Joan Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund, a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond at maturity.  The next four top finishers will also receive savings bonds – $5,000 for second place, $3,000 for third, $1,500 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth. The prize money will be provided by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm.

“Showcasing talented students from around Kentucky and Southern Indiana, the Ford Motor Company Spelling Bee is one of our more far-reaching events,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “It’s always a nail-biter up until the final word is spelled.”

 COVERAGE NOTE: Best time to cover is around 12:30, winner could come at any time.

In addition to a $10,000 saving bond, the overall Spelling Bee champion will receive a Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Hasbro Scrabble game, an Amazon.com gift card and a trophy. The winner will also have the opportunity to ride the Winner’s Float in the 60th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on April 30th.

The Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, with Media Sponsors Kentucky Monthly and 840WHAS.