MUNCIE – Ten top spellers from area schools are scheduled to compete in the sixth Ball State PBS Spelling Bee, set for 9 a.m. March 12, at Sursa Performance Hall, on the campus of Ball State University.

Those familiar with the bee know that the station usually has nearly 60 champion spellers competing on stage. Last year, the Ball State PBS Spelling Bee implemented, through Scripps, an online testing component of the bee that narrowed the field to a Top 10.

This year champion spellers from more than 45 schools from Delaware, Blackford, Jay, Randolph, Madison and Henry counties are expected to compete.

If an in-person bee is not possible on March 12, other options are available including a bee via an online conference platform (such as Zoom) or the Scripps online testing platform. This decision will be made in accordance with Ball State and public health guidelines.

The winner of this final local bee will advance to compete in the national Scripps finals. Other prizes for spellers will include shirts, reference books, gift certificates and more.

For the official rules, click here.