Local fifth- through eighth-grade students at Ellis Middle School, Banfield Elementary, Neveln Elementary, Southgate Elementary and Sumner Elementary schools will be competing on Jan. 16 in the Scripps Spelling Bee to test their knowledge of how words are spelled, meanings of words and correct usage of words. The students passed a qualifying test in mid-December.

The District Spelling Bee will be held at Ellis Middle School on Jan. 30. For more information, visit the Scripps National Spelling Bee website at http://www.spellingbee.com/