Invites Ky., Southern Indiana schools to take part in KDF Spelling Bee
September 25, 2014 Louisville, KY. The search is on for super spellers from Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The Kentucky Derby Festival is looking for contestants to participate in the 22nd annual Ford Motor Company Spelling Bee in March of next year.
Students wishing to participate in the KDF Spelling Bee must first take part in their county-wide competition, which is organized by their respective school systems. The Festival has already sent informational packets to nearly 100 counties in Kentucky and 11 counties in Southern Indiana. For more information on the county spelling bee, students or parents should contact their school superintendent or principal.
61 students from around the region participated in the 2014 Derby Festival Spelling Bee, which was held at the Ballroom of the Kosair Shrine Club at Spalding University. Students went through 178 words and 12 rounds before the top contestant was determined.
Paul Keaton of Pike County won the 2014 competition, correctly spelling “chignon” – a roll or knot of hair worn at the back of the head or a especially at the nape of the neck. Keaton’s older sister, Emily Keaton, was the reigning champion, having won the KDF Spelling Bee from 2010-2013. Keaton received the John & Joan Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund, a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond at maturity from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm.
Ian Kimbell of Floyd County, Indiana, received a $5,000 savings bond for finishing runner-up in the 21st annual competition. Lauryn Grady of Jefferson County Catholic Schools finished third, winning a $3,000 savings bond. Nupur Chhachhi of Warren County finished fourth and received a $1,500 savings bond. Julia Radhakrishnan of Fayette County finished fifth, winning a $1,000 savings bond.
The 2014 event was sponsored by Ford Motor Company, with contributing sponsors Kentucky Monthly and 84WHAS.
