The 2011 Virginian-Pilot Spelling Bee will be broadcast live on WHRO-TV15.1 on Saturday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. and streamed live at whro.org. Forty-five of the finest area middle school spellers will be in the studio competing for this year’s title. Eighteen public schools in southeastern Virginia, sixteen independent schools, eight public schools from northeastern North Carolina, and three Home School Associations have held local school Bees and will be sending their winners to WHRO.

WHRO-FM’s Raymond Jones will once again serve as the Bee’s pronouncer. First, second and third place winners receive trophies from the Virginian-Pilot. The Virginian-Pilot also pays the first place winner’s travel expenses to go to Washington, DC and complete in the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee in June. WHRO will present the first place winner with an Apple iPad. The Bee will be re-broadcast on WHRO KIDS 15.3 on Saturday, February 19 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the 2011 Virginian-Pilot Spelling Bee scheduled for February 12 contact Debbie Bellucci, Educational Services Manager, The Virginian-Pilot via email at Debbie.Bellucci@pilotonline.com.