” I tell students that the oportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education is what allows you to stand out. ” By Ellen Ochoa
Spelling Bee!
The Costa Rican Spelling Bee (aka English Festival) is now underway and our Copey Learning Center students are involved. Recall, this 
competition features spelling English words and includes a “conversational” competition. The Copey students have done exeptionally well in this nationally sponsored spelling competition. “Friends of Copey” has been supporting the Copey students’ involvement in the Spelling Bee since 2015.
Mariana has been a Spelling Bee participant for serveral years and even made it to the National Championship level in 2016 and 2017.
She visited us last summer as one of the 2019 Pathway Project students. We were treated to her advanced English skills during her time in America and on the Emory & Henry College campus. We predict she will enjoy a great deal of
personal and professional success in the future.
Now, her sister Margarita is following in her big sister’s footsteps. Recently, Margarita placed 1st in the first round of competition. Other Copey Learning Center students also participated but I do not know the official results of their competitions.
Margarita and two other Spelling Bee participants (Ruben and Erick) joined in on the Skype call between Ana Yancy and me last week.
It is a real joy to be in touch with students who are eager to learn and have a strong appreciation for the opportunity to attend this English based Learning Center in rural Costa Rica.
They know this English education is not available to the vast majority of rural communities throughout the country. The more urban locations provide urban students a greater opportunity to learn English and a significant advantage in Spelling Bee contests.
For the Copey students, the Spelling Bee helps develop pride, confidence, and serves to underscore the point: “where you are from does not dictate where you can go”. The upper echelon of the Spelling Bee organization has come to recognize and respect the Copey Learning Center students who compete.
We are impacting the educational and future lives of children with our support and this is just one more way we “Friends of Copey” is making a difference. This ” impact goes far beyond the boundaries of the Copey community.
Key Friends…!
The work is underway to put the first list of supporters who will be inducted in the “Key Friends” group. Should be news on this list next week.
Angela Ramos Has A New Family Member
Angela, past Executive Director of the Copey Learning Center, recently gave birth to a baby boy. I was happy to communicate with Angela who now resides in America and to send our collective congrats from “Friends of Copey”. Blessings to All!
Great to think about spelling bees, like all did as children!