Reed Laursen spelled his way to the top at the Wayne-Finger Lakes regional spelling bee, clinching the championship with the word “asthmatic” and earning a spot at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Laursen was one of 40 spellers from 20 local schools who competed on March 22 at the Palmyra-Macedon Performing Arts Center. The event, sponsored by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, stretched across eight intense rounds, with additional rounds needed to determine the third-place winner.
Participants prepared by studying “Words of the Champions,” a 4,000-word list provided by Scripps. Betsy Serapilio served as the event’s pronouncer, while Matt Ebeling and Olga Richmond judged the competition, ensuring accuracy with each word.
With his win, Laursen not only heads to the national stage but also takes home a suite of prizes. These include the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award—a 2025 United States Mint Proof Set—a Visa gift certificate, and one-year subscriptions to Britannica Online Premium and Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online.
This year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee marks its 100th anniversary. Laursen will participate in special centennial celebrations, including a new traveling exhibit called “More Than Words.” The semifinals on May 28 and finals on May 29 will be broadcast on ION.
Cassie Gratton, Coordinator of Regional Programs for Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, noted the camaraderie among contestants. “Though the contestants were all vying for the opportunity to be named champion, there was an unmistakable team spirit at the Wayne-Finger Lakes regional spelling bee,” she said.
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES has hosted the event for several years, using it to promote public speaking, goal setting, and academic discipline. The spelling bee program encourages students to explore language and develop confidence under pressure.
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