Metz Middle School Student to Compete in Scripps Spelling Bee

Manassas middle school student Christopher Shoemaker will be among the spelling elite when he travels up the road to Washington D.C. for the Scripps Spelling Bee next week. 

Christopher, an eighth grader at Grace E. Metz Middle School, competed in the Prince William Spelling Bee on March 8 and defeated 23 other top spellers for first place. 

He spelled the word "Arcane" correctly for the win, landing him a spot at Scripps.

City officials said Christopher lasted through 24 rounds of spelling over a two-hour period.

He was recognized by Manassas City Council and the Manassas City Public School Board for his accomplishments.

"It is an individual accomplishment, as well as the accomplishment of our school system,"  Manassas Mayor Hal J. Parrish said Christopher's spelling bee win.

Christopher didn't win the competition on sheer talent on alone, but rather, he put in several hours of practice and study. 

School officials said he was determined to qualify for Scripps because this is the last year he is eligible for the bee.

No student can compete if he or she is in a grade higher than eighth.

The complete list of eligibility requirements for Scripps is here.

The spelling bee preliminary round begins on May 28 with a computer-based test.

Round two of preliminaries are from 8 to 11:45 a.m. on May 29.  Round three of preliminaries are later on that day from 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. Both rounds will air on ESPN 3.

Computer-based semifinals will be from 7 to 7:45 p.m. That portion of the competition won't be televised.

The bee continues on May 30  from 2 to 5 p.m. on ESPN 2.

The spelling bee finals are May 30 from 8 to 10 p.m.  It airs on ESPN.