LATHROP – The annual District Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Theater Building of Lathrop High School. Organized by the Elementary Education Department, the event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Shasta Elementary School Principal Audrey Greene will serve as mistress of ceremonies and Joshua Cowell School Principal Bonnie Bennett will be the Spelling Master.

The panel of judges will consist of School Board Trustee Evelyn Moore, Senior Director of Elementary Education Cheryl Meeker, Ph.D., Shasta and Golden West schools Vice Principal Tom James, Betty James, Department Supervisor for Elementary Education Laurie De Boer, Department Supervisor for Student Services Sharon Fang, and Spelling Bee Coordinator Tevani Liotard.

The winners at each school site for their division will represent their school at the District Spelling Bee. The top three spellers in the 4th to 6th division will be registered for the San Joaquin County Spelling Bee. Those winners will represent Manteca Unified School District. The county competition will take place Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the Wentworth Education Center (formerly the Education Service Center) in Burwood 1 and 2 at 3 p.m.

A mandatory elimination round for participants in the 4th to 6th grade division will take place Monday, Dec. 5, in Burwood 2 starting at 4 p.m. The top 15 contestants from this round will then be invited to the finals on Dec. 7.

The top two winners in each division will qualify for the state competition. The State Spelling Bee Competition will be held in April 2012 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Any question, call either 858-0876 or send e-mail to tliotardpmusd.net.