Nearly 70 area school districts are gearing up to compete in the 92nd Annual 21 WFMJ Regional Spelling Bee.

The event will be held Saturday, March 1 at Stambaugh Auditorium and will feature students from nearly 70 public, private, parochial and charter schools across Mahoning and Trumbull Counties with each student being the champion of their respective school's competition.

The Grand Champion will go on to represent the Mahoning Valley in the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Memorial Day weekend.

In addition, Kent State University's Trumbull County campus is awarding a $2,000 scholarship to the Grand Champion, as well as a $1,000 scholarship to the runner up and a $500 scholarship to the third place student.

The pronouncer will be Professor and Graduate Program Director in Youngstown State University's Department of Communications Dr. Jeff Tyus and judges will include Reverend Lewis Macklin of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Rayen Early College teacher Dorothy Macklin and former St. Christine Parish office manager Carol Ryan.

The 21 WFMJ Regional Spelling Bee has been a tradition since 1934.