The Upper Peninsula Community Education Association Regional Spelling Bees took place Feb. 17, hosted by Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools. The fifth- and sixth-grade bees were at the Iron Mountain High School Auditorium and the seventh- and eighth-grade bees were in the Kingsford Middle School Media Center. The champion and runner-up in each grade level have qualified to compete at the U.P. Spelling Bee Finals set for March 11 and hosted by Ishpeming, Negaunee, NICE Community Schools.

The overall U.P. Champion will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be televised on ESPN. The prize package is sponsored by Scripps and the Upper Peninsula Community Education Association.