COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have made history by becoming the first NHL team to serve as a regional partner for the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee.
In a bid to promote literacy and education while fostering community engagement, the team hosted a Regional Spelling Bee Competition at Nationwide Arena.
The event saw the top 40 school champions from a 23-county territory compete for a chance to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The winner, Avinav Prem Anand, an 8th grader from Orange Middle School in Lewis Center, Ohio, secured an all-expenses-paid trip to represent the region in the national competition in Washington, D.C. This marks Anand’s fourth time winning a Regional Spelling Bee.
The competition was officiated by a team of notable figures, including Mike Todd, Blue Jackets In-Arena Host, who served as the emcee, and Dylan Tyrer, Blue Jackets Radio Host & Broadcast Coordinator, who took on the role of pronounce.
Garry Young, Olentangy Orange Assistant Principal, acted as the head judge, while Kelli Bates, Columbus Metropolitan Library Development Coordinator, and Aaron Portzline, The Athletic Senior Writer, served as judge and record keeper/audio judge, respectively.