The Regional Spelling Bee for Central MN was held on Wednesday, February 15 on the campus of St. Johns University. Due to the large number of spellers in this region, there are two identical Bees held. The top four spellers from two Spelling Bees will advance to the Multi-Region State Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 1 at the Bigwood Event Center, Fergus Falls.

Winners from each of the Bees are:
1st Place Morning Regional

Alyssa Franzmeier

Sartell Middle School, Sartell

Grade: 8

Parents: Marty and Paula Franzmeier

Winning word: menagerie

2nd Place Morning Regional

Marissa Leeb

Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, Sauk Rapids

Grade: 8

Parents: April & Dale Leeb

1st Place Afternoon Regional

Michelle Goodwin

Mora High School, Mora

Grade: 8

Parents: Karen & Mike Goodwin

Winning word: minacious

2nd Place Afternoon Regional

Jenna Frost

Chisago Lakes Middle School, Lindstrom

Grade: 8

Parents: Sean & Lissa Frost

The Morning Bee had 25 spellers, it lasted 16 rounds and used 136 words. The Afternoon Bee also had 23 spellers, it lasted 13 rounds and used 110 words.

The first place winners from each Bee received a trophy and gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. All the spellers received a medal and ribbon at their district level Bee and a Regional ribbon.

Resource Training & Solutions is located in Region 7. This region covers ten counties. The Region 7 winners will represent Resource Training and Solutions at the Multi-Regional State Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m. at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls, MN. This Bee will be run exactly like the Regional Bees. The following regions will be represented at the Multi-Regional Bee:

Lakes Country Service Cooperative Fergus Falls

Northwest Service Cooperative Thief River Falls

Northeast Service Cooperative Duluth / Iron Mountain

Resource Training & Solutions St. Cloud

Southwest/ West Central Service Cooperative - Marshall

The winner from the Multi-Regional State Bee will attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 2012 in Washington DC along with a parent/guardian.

The Regional Spelling Bees are coordinated by Sandra Cordie, Director of Educational Programs at Resource Training & Solutions.