Oakland Schools has announced, along with three other partners, that it is both sponsoring and hosting the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee program in 2018.

The event, now named the Oakland Schools Scripps Regional Spelling Bee, will take place at noon on March 18, 2018 at Oakland Schools main campus, 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, 48328. Other sponsors are the Oakland Schools Education Foundation, Bank of Ann Arbor and Ehlert Charitable Fund.

Late last year, executives at The Oakland Press announced they would be unable to continue sponsorship of the event, which the company had been overseeing for 22 years.

“We understand the importance of the event and wanted to keep it going,” said Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson.

Last year, over 80 elementary and middle school students from all over Oakland County competed in the Bee. The winner receives a trophy and an automatic invite to the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 27-June 1, 2018 in Maryland.