Newport Woman to Vie for AARP National Spelling Bee Championship

Linda Phillips of Newport will travel to the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne, Wyo., representing Rhode Island in the AARP National Spelling Bee June 17-18, 2011.  The 16^th annual event boasts more than 40 spellers from across the country, many of whom have previous competitive spelling experience. The contestants, all age 50 or older, will compete for the $5,000 grand prize and partake in activities to help keep their minds sharp.

For Phillips, who owns a Newport communications and PR firm and is editor-in-chief of the society Web site NewportSeen.com, the competition represents a homecoming. The Cheyenne native won the Wyoming State Spelling Bee at the age of 13. Phillips also is a former Miss Wyoming. 

“We are thrilled to have Linda in this year’s competition,” said AARP Rhode Island Senior State Director Kathleen Connell. “We know she will represent the state well. But the example she is setting -- that life for 50+ American stays interesting when you take on new challenges -- is something that should inspire everyone. Let me spell it out for you: Age, is only a N-U-M-B-E-R.”

The AARP National Spelling Bee consists of two rounds of competition, beginning with a 100-word written spelling test in the morning, narrowing the field to the top 15 spellers who go on to compete in the oral spelling rounds. Spellers are allowed to miss two words in the oral rounds before being knocked out of the competition. The first place speller will receive $5,000, second place will receive $500 and third place will receive a $250 prize. The top three finishers will also receive free AARP memberships.

Interested spellers can register today at www.aarp.org/spellingbee and by calling 1-877-926-8300. Pre-event registration is $40 for spellers and remains open through June 16th; walk-in registration costs $50.

A "pre-Bee" workshop will be offered to all contestants and the general public on Friday, June 17. The free workshop, "Gray Matters: Training the Grownup Brain," will feature interactive sessions that will explain the impact of diet, fitness, and relationships on brain health and answer your questions.

Sponsors of the 2011 AARP National Spelling Bee include: Visit Cheyenne; Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power; and AARP Wyoming.

The AARP National Spelling Bee was created in 1996 by a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, Wyo., who wanted a fun way to challenge their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age. The competition has been held every year since, and always in Cheyenne. A group of dedicated volunteers select the words, write the sentences, organize and promote the event. Spellers travel from across America to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate their years of experience. 

A complete schedule for the two days, sample word lists, contest details and official rules, can be found atwww.aarp.org/spellingbee or by calling AARP Wyoming at 1-866-633-3290.