Hofstra LI Regional Spelling Bee date set for Feb. 24

The Long Island Regional Spelling Bee, which was canceled earlier this month in the aftermath of the blizzard, has been rescheduled for next Sunday at Hofstra University.

Students in grades 4-8 from 103 schools across Long Island will compete.

Hofstra University's Carole Clark Papper, a professor of writing studies and composition, will serve as head judge and moderator. The bee will begin about 11 a.m. at Hofstra's John Cranford Adams Playhouse. It is a ticketed event and not open to the public.

The winner of the bee will go on to represent the region at the Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 28-30 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md.

Last year, Dean Creedon, then a fifth-grader from Oak School No. 3 in Oceanside, won the regional competition after spelling the word "mordacious," which means biting or given to biting. He did not advance to the semifinals, where only 50 spellers compete. Last year's national champ was Snigdha Nandipati, a 14-year-old from San Diego.

Nandipati was named the Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion in the 13th round after correctly spelling the word "guetapens," which is defined as "an ambush, snare or trap."

The Long Island bee was originally scheduled for Feb. 10.