Local Windsor student wins 6th annual WFCU Credit Union Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
Following an intensive and exciting Sunday afternoon competition of 26 elementary school students from across Windsor-Essex, Sarnia-Lambton, and Chatham-Kent Counties, Isaac Brogan, a grade six student at Maranatha Christian Academy in Windsor, has been named the 2024 WFCU Credit Union Scripps Regional Spelling Bee champion, successfully spelling the winning word “netiquette.”
This is the second year in a row that Isaac has won the regional title and will be heading to the nationals. In addition to a six-night trip to Washington, D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee this June 2024, WFCU has also awarded Isaac a $200 Educational Scholarship.
The WFCU Scripps Regional Spelling Bee was held at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts on Sunday, March 24, featuring Windsor Star Managing Editor, Craig Pearson, as the Pronouncer. It was sponsored by WFCU and the St. Clair College Alumni Association.
It was a close and competitive event, going 15 rounds before the Champion Word round, where Isaac successfully spelled his final word and was named champion. Congratulations also goes to runner up, Kavya Vasudeva, a grade six student from Christ the King French Immersion Catholic Elementary School in Windsor.
“Providing youth with opportunities for growth and development is an important part of our mission and our commitment to the communities we operate in,” said Eddie Francis, President and CEO of WFCU Credit Union.
“We’re proud to continue our annual sponsorship of the Windsor-Essex Scripps Regional Spelling Bee to foster learning and healthy competition in a fun and interactive way. Congratulations to Isaac and his family for another win. We will be cheering you on this June!”
Earlier this year, WFCU hosted the second annual ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in the Waterloo Region, bolstering its community support and programming for its growing Tri-City membership.
As part of WFCU’s community engagement program, INSPIRE, the Regional Spelling Bees promote literacy and language arts in an engaging way.
They also align with the Credit Union’s mission to support organizations and individuals that contribute to the well-being of the community, with particular emphasis on youth, education, and health.
Isaac Brogan of Maranatha Christian Academy will now advance to compete in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee held near Washington, D.C., where he will be competing against hundreds of students from around the world.
The highly-anticipated event will be televised on ION, the Bee’s broadcast home. Full broadcast details can be found at spellingbee.com.
In addition to flight and accommodations during the event and a $200 Educational Scholarship on behalf of WFCU Credit Union, Isaac has also won the following:
• The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online – a one-year subscription for the official word source for all levels of competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
• The Britannica Online Premium – a one-year subscription for the premier online resource from Encyclopedia Britannica.
• The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award – a 2024 United States Mint Proof Set provided by Jay Sugarman, chairman and CEO of iStar Financial, in honour of his father.
• Epic Family – a one-year subscription with unlimited access to 40,000+ kids’ books, videos and audiobooks.
• Tynker Coding Classes – eight, live 1-on-1 online coding classes, and a one-year home subscription.
“We were very proud of every student who competed at this year’s event,” said Beth Ann Prince, Manager, Community Investment, WFCU Credit Union.
“Taking the stage took bravery, confidence and concentration. You are all champions and exemplify the spirit of the Bee. I’d also like to thank all of the participating schools and teachers who invested time in the program. We hope to see you again next year!”