MetLife's South Asian Spelling Bee Returns For Fourth Year

The MetLife South Asian Spelling Bee returns for its fourth year in 2011. 
Open to children of South Asian descent up to 14 years of age, the event gives South Asian children a chance to test their spelling skills in their core peer group. Interested spellers need their parent or guardian to register them online at www.southasianspellingbee.com.
 
Organized by Touchdown Media Inc., the 2011 MetLife South Asian Spelling Bee will be conducted in 10 locations across the United States starting June 18. Regional level events will be held in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, New Jersey, DC Metro, New York and Boston. All events will be free to attend and open to the public.
 
“It’s great to be celebrating the 4th year of the South Asian Spelling Bee. With the help of our sponsors and media partners, a great platform has been built for the community where spellers can test their skill and have the thrill of being on television. We have expanded to 10 cities across the US, adding Atlanta to the roster and look forward to another great season in 2011.” said Rahul Walia, CEO of Touchdown Media Inc. and founder of the South Asian Spelling Bee.
 
Each competition will begin with a written test of 25 words. The participants must spell 15 or more words correctly to advance to the afternoon oral round, which will be conducted by experienced pronouncers and judges. The top three in the oral round will receive prize money.
 
The top two spellers of each regional competition will advance to the finals to be held in New Jersey in August. Like last year, MetLife has inducted the $10,000 champion’s scholarship that will be awarded to the winner at the finals.

 
For a complete schedule, registration and any other information, please visit The South Asian Spelling Bee contest aims to encourge and promote South Asian talent across the US and to promote this aspect of a South Asian student’s life by broadcasting this contest on national television.

To qualify, a speller must:

• Have at least one parent or grandparent of South Asian descent. An individual must be able to trace his or her lineage to one of the following nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• Can only participate in one regional center for any given contest. 

For more information, visit  http://www.southasianspellingbee.com/get-ready/common-questions/.