School enrollment for 2021-2022 Scripps Regional Bee now open!

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON – As part of its commitment to the youth in our community, ECU- A Division of WFCU Credit Union is proud to announce it is an official 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee sponsor and is proud to give local students and schools the opportunity to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition. The Spelling Bee is a wonderful addition to the many initiatives we currently have including our scholarship programs, youth sports team sponsorships and financial literacy programs.

As the exclusive sponsor for the Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge area, ECU will sponsor the regional spelling bee competition held in spring 2022 and will send one regional champion to the national competition in May 2022 in Washington DC, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup and meet fellow champions from around the world.

The 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion was Zaila Avant-garde, a 14-year-old from New Orleans. Avant-garde won the coveted title in round 18 with the correct spelling of “Murraya.”

WFCU Credit Union has sponsored the regional bee event in Windsor Essex for three years and this year marks the inaugural year for students in the Waterloo region and to have an opportunity to compete at the official Scripps National Spelling Bee.

“Providing youth in our community with opportunities to develop their skills and build their self-confidence across a variety of platforms has always been a top priority for WFCU Credit Union,” stated Eddie Francis, President and CEO, WFCU Credit Union. “We look forward to working with the local schools in the Kitchener-Waterloo area to bring this opportunity to the students in the region. We are very happy to announce that ECU will be covering the $175 USD entry fee for the first 50 schools that register. There is no financial commitment for schools or teachers to register for the Bee.”

Each year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee reaches millions of students across the country and around the world with the classroom materials it provides schools enrolled in the yearlong program. The purpose of the Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.

Participation in local Bees also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers.

Schools in the Kitchener-Waterloo area are eligible to enroll in the 2021-2022 program now through December 17, 2021. Educators can visit www.myecu.com  to learn more and enroll their schools in the program.

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For more information:

Beth Ann Prince
Manager, Member Engagement & Community Investment
WFCU|Credit Union
bprince@wfcu.ca
519-974-3100 ext 1290

About WFCU Credit Union:

WFCU Credit Union has been recognized as a leading, progressive financial institution headquartered in Windsor and Essex County since 1940. Proudly serving Ontario residents, community organizations, small businesses, commercial entities and public institutions for over 80 years, WFCU Credit Union is the sixth largest credit union in Ontario, and twentieth largest credit union in Canada. WFCU Credit Union operates nine retail locations in Windsor-Essex as well as three retail locations in the Waterloo Region through ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union and one digital entity, Omnia Direct. Through their variety of service channels including online and mobile banking, telephone banking and ATM services, WFCU Credit Union and its divisions have become the financial institutions of choice for 58,163 members across Ontario including 53,767 personal members in 25,249 households, 3,053 businesses and 1,343 organizations. Currently, WFCU Credit Union has $6.83 billion in Managed Assets and Member Service Totals of $9.3 billion. WFCU Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Ontario. For more information on WFCU Credit Union please visit wfcu.ca.

August 2021

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:  

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.