MANSFIELD — Linda Burrage may be the driving force behind the annual third grade spelling bee, but she insists it takes a village.
“It is a community bee. Everybody is helping,” Burrage said.
The ninth annual Mansfield-Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee will take place Feb. 21 at Madison Middle School. Registration will begin at 3 p.m., with the competition kicking off at about 3:30 p.m.
The bee is open to all Richland County schools. This year, 14 schools will be selecting students to participate.
Burrage founded the bee in 2017 while working as a substitute teacher.
“The spelling bee isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about literacy, community building and fostering the successful futures of these students,” she said.
While early literacy skills are rebounding since the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still room for improvement.
During the 2023-2024 school year, 64.5 percent of third-grade students were reading at or above grade level, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
Burrage said she’s been encouraged by the community’s willingness to rally around the Mansfield-Richland County Spelling Bee.
More than 30 businesses, churches, unions, banks and credit unions have contributed towards the cost of goodie bags and t-shirts for competitors. Meijer and Jones Potato Chips will be providing food for competitors and their families.
Judges, pronouncers and other volunteers are donating their time.
“I’m so proud of the people that want to donate their time to do this,” Burrage said.
“Actions speak louder than words. We are actually trying to do something about (early literacy).”
She said she believes it’s the community’s responsibility to support kids — and Richland County has risen to the challenge.
“Whatever community you’re in, they should get together for the children, because the teachers are overworked and underpaid,” she said. “With a little help, we can educate our kids.”
