{"id":1244143,"date":"2026-02-03T09:04:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/?page_id=1244143"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:32:08","slug":"spelling-bee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Informer City-Wide\u00a0Spelling\u00a0Bee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.wp-block-pullquote {\n    border-bottom: none;\n    border-top: none;\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull top-margin-fix has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-fa818ec7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(163deg,rgb(77,25,119) 8%,rgb(30,32,143) 36%,rgb(65,105,225) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);flex-basis:950px\"><div class=\"wp-block-image less-space\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"145\" data-attachment-id=\"1244147\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/bee_2025mediaguide\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?fit=147%2C145&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"147,145\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bee_2025MediaGuide\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?fit=147%2C145&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?fit=147%2C145&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?resize=147%2C145&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1244147\" style=\"width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?w=147&amp;ssl=1 147w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bee_2025MediaGuide.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 147px) 100vw, 147px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center less-space has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-df03945b9f1e9b06d6cb45805d1dd678\" id=\"h-d-c-amp-prince-george-s-spelling-nbsp-bee-s\">D.C. &amp; Prince George&#8217;s <strong>Spelling&nbsp;Bee<\/strong>s<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center less-space has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bea2befad502b1c5da0d0335b2d0f185\" style=\"font-size:1.3em\">For over four decades, Washington Informer Charities has proudly sponsored the&nbsp;bees \u2014 an annual tradition that champions academic excellence and provides students with a pathway to the national stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-nbsp-legacy-of-literacy-nbsp-and-nbsp-empowerment\"><strong>A&nbsp;Legacy of Literacy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Empowerment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The story began in the early 1980s, when Dr. Mary E. White of the D.C. Public Schools sought to return District students to the Scripps National&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee. Years earlier, D.C.&#8217;s participation had ended when The Washington Daily News, the original sponsor, was acquired by The Washington Star, which later ceased its support. With no sponsoring newspaper, D.C. students were locked out of the prestigious competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. White turned to The Washington Post, hoping the region\u2019s leading daily would take the lead. But the Post declined, stating that its coverage area included not just D.C., but also Maryland and Virginia, and suburban sponsors were already in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s when Dr. White approached Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr., founder of The Washington Informer and a staunch supporter of D.C. youth. Without hesitation, Dr. Rolark committed The Informer to sponsor the&nbsp;Bee\u2014making it the first African American-owned newspaper in the U.S. to take on this important role. He enlisted his daughter, Denise Rolark Barnes, then managing editor, to help organize the first&nbsp;City-Wide&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;alongside D.C. school officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"1244150\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/ai6a5669\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;SLassiter&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R6m2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1742041694&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AI6A5669\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1244150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AI6A5669-1024x683.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That inaugural&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;took place in March 1982 at Backus Junior High School. Sixth grader John Krattenmaker of Mann Elementary took first place. But a new challenge emerged: the Scripps National&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;initially denied John entry because The Informer was a weekly newspaper\u2014at the time, only daily publications were eligible to sponsor students nationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Rolark pushed back. With the legal expertise of his wife, attorney and D.C. Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark, The Informer challenged the policy as discriminatory. The result? Scripps changed its rules, opening the door for weekly newspapers\u2014and their communities\u2014to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, The Informer\u2019s&nbsp;City-Wide&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;has become a cornerstone event in the District, engaging more than 2,000 students each year from public, private, charter, parochial, and home schools. For nearly 40 years, the&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;was hosted and broadcast by NBC4, bringing the excitement of academic competition and the value of literacy into homes across the Washington metropolitan area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) serves as the official broadcast partner of the&nbsp;Bee, airing the event across all D.C. public access channels and ensuring wide community access to this inspiring showcase of young talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than a decade ago, Washington Informer Charities expanded its reach by adopting the Prince George\u2019s County&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee. This partnership now allows two local champions\u2014one from D.C. and one from Prince George\u2019s County\u2014to represent their communities each year at the Scripps National&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;held in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide round-box border-box has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(163deg,rgba(237,28,35,0.13) 0%,rgba(233,233,233,0.56) 42%,rgba(20,0,196,0.09) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong><em>If we want to improve the quality of life for all Americans, then we must begin by teaching our children to read\u2014which they cannot do unless they learn to spell.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><cite>DR. CALVIN W. ROLARK, SR.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jason-moore-coordinator-for-the-dc-city-wide-spelling-bee\">Jason Moore,\u00a0coordinator for the DC City Wide Spelling Bee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jason Moore\u00a0serves as the Manager of Literacy &amp; Humanities Assessment &amp; Interventions in the Office of Teaching &amp; Learning at District of Columbia Public Schools. In this role, he supports 115 schools across the district in advancing high\u2011quality literacy diagnostics and instruction, strengthening intervention systems, and ensuring equitable access to rigorous humanities learning experiences for all students in grades K- 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jason oversees districtwide implementation of key literacy diagnostics, including DIBELS, i\u2011Ready, and MAP, and collaborates with school leaders and educators to interpret data, refine instructional practice, and promote student growth. He also leads the development of resources and professional learning that equip teachers to deliver meaningful, culturally grounded instruction in reading, writing, and the humanities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A passionate advocate for joyful learning and academic excellence, Jason partners closely with community organizations\u2014including Washington Informer Charities\u2014to elevate student voice and celebrate achievement, most recently through coordination of the 2026 DCPS\/Washington Informer Citywide Spelling Bee.&nbsp; He has had the honor to serve as the primary coordinator and pronouncer for the Intermediate Bees since 2017<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is proud to support DCPS students in becoming confident readers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"765\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"1245846\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/attachment\/8552\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?fit=896%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"896,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"8552\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?fit=224%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?fit=765%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=765%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1245846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=765%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 765w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=224%2C300&amp;ssl=1 224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=112%2C150&amp;ssl=1 112w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=768%2C1029&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=780%2C1045&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=400%2C536&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?resize=706%2C946&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552.png?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8552-765x1024.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 765px) 100vw, 765px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-doug-nbsp-hayes-nbsp-coordinator-nbsp-for-nbsp-the-nbsp-prince-george-s-county-nbsp-spelling-nbsp-bee\">Doug&nbsp;Hayes,&nbsp;coordinator&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;Prince George\u2019s County&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Doug Hayes is a seasoned media and finance professional with a diverse career spanning publishing, real estate, and wealth management. He previously served as Associate Publisher for the Prince George\u2019s County Gazette, where he helped lead the publication\u2019s editorial and business initiatives, fostering community engagement and local storytelling. Currently, Doug is a Realtor licensed in MD and DC, as well as an Investment Advisor with Legacy Investing &amp; Wealth Management, specializing in IRA and brokerage account management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doug is passionate about giving back to the community and is excited to invite middle school students of Prince George\u2019s County to participate in the upcoming&nbsp;Spelling&nbsp;Bee, encouraging young learners to explore the power of words and the joy of learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"877\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"1244152\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/dougr\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?fit=2194%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2194,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1706465183&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DougR\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?fit=257%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?fit=877%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR.jpg?resize=877%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1244152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=877%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 877w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=257%2C300&amp;ssl=1 257w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=129%2C150&amp;ssl=1 129w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C896&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=1316%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1316w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=1755%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1755w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2334&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C910&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C467&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C824&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DougR-877x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>D.C. &amp; Prince George&#8217;s Spelling&nbsp;Bees For over four decades, Washington Informer Charities has proudly sponsored the&nbsp;bees \u2014 an annual tradition that champions academic excellence and provides students with a pathway to the national stage. A&nbsp;Legacy of Literacy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Empowerment The story began in the early 1980s, when Dr. Mary E. White of the D.C. Public Schools sought [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4410,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-feature.php","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":true,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":true,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_primary_brand":0,"nota_seo_page_title":"","nota_seo_page_description":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":true,"newspack_show_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"brand":[78255],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[62504],"class_list":["post-1244143","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","brand-charities","entry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Washington Informer City-Wide\u00a0Spelling\u00a0Bee - The Washington Informer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/spelling-bee\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Washington Informer City-Wide\u00a0Spelling\u00a0Bee\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"D.C. &amp; Prince George&#8217;s Spelling&nbsp;Bees For over four decades, Washington Informer Charities has proudly sponsored the&nbsp;bees \u2014 an annual tradition that champions academic excellence and provides students with a pathway to the national stage. A&nbsp;Legacy of Literacy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Empowerment The story began in the early 1980s, when Dr. Mary E. White of the D.C. 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