Home > News & Events > 2009 News > 2004-2008 News > 2007 News	Print View

Minneapolis law firm agrees to fill vacant role of competition sponsor

Wordsmiths and spelling fanatics received an early Christmas present Friday when a Minneapolis law firm stepped up to support a regional spelling bee.

Lockridge Grindal Nauen agreed to organize a Twin Cities area spelling bee, which qualifies a winner for the national bee, said Ted Grindal, a partner who heads the firm's government relations department.

"It's something that would be hard to imagine not happening," Grindal said. "The kids work so hard and should have some recognition."

A few sponsors inquired about supporting a regional bee after the Pioneer Press published a Thursday article about the competition's demise, said Paige Kimble, director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Of the situation, Grindal said: "We thought, 'Gosh, that's really a shame. Is there a way we can find a way to help?' "

The firm found a way to sponsor a competition March 13 but is unsure about a commitment beyond that, he said.

Kimble declined to confirm Lockridge Grindal Nauen as the official sponsor but did say, "At this time we're hopeful."

"I think we're excited about ensuring the children of St. Paul and Minneapolis will be represented."

A sponsor is needed by Jan. 6 for a Twin Cities student to qualify for the national bee in Washington, D.C.

The Minneapolis-based Star Tribune, which had sponsored the regional bee since 2004, pulled out after the organizers began charging each participating school a $99 fee. No other corporate sponsors expressed interest, and local media outlets - including the Pioneer Press - declined.

With no regional bee in sight, many metro districts - such as the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, the state's fourth-largest - held no district-level bee.

Sponsors typically fork over $5,000 to $15,000 to hold a regional bee and pay for the traveling expenses of the winner, Kimble said.

Support for the bee remains strong in other parts of Minnesota. The National Joint Powers Alliance, a service co-operative based in Staples, is running a bee for the state's north-central region, said Susan Nanik, who organizes the bee for NJPA. The Free Press of Mankato is working with two other newspapers to send a contestant from southern Minnesota.

Grindal, whose firm has an office in Washington, said the seven-county metro area spelling bee champion may get a chance to meet Minnesota's congressional delegation as part of the educational experience.

"This is something around the holidays we can do for the community," Grindal said.

Bao Ong can be reached at bong@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5435.

http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_7782801