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Press Release

School District of Philadelphia Hosts Citywide Spelling Bee Cosponsored by Independence Blue Cross and The Philadelphia Tribune

Philadelphia, PA - March 2, 2007 - The School District of Philadelphia will host a regional leg of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, proudly cosponsored by Independence Blue Cross  and The Philadelphia Tribune on Saturday, March 3, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the District's Education Center, 440 N. Broad Street, 2nd floor auditorium.

"The School District of Philadelphia is proud to host the Spelling Bee for the second consecutive year at our Education Center," said Paul Vallas, CEO, School District of Philadelphia.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Independence Blue Cross is cosponsoring the event with The Philadelphia Tribune.

The bee will feature top spellers from Philadelphia public, private, parochial, charter, and home schools. These Citywide Bee contestants are the top classroom spellers in grades six through eight, and five finalists from the "Fifth Grade Spelldown," which will be held two hours before the Citywide Bee.

The winner of the Citywide Bee will advance to the 80th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in Washington D.C. from May 30 through May 31.

"All of the students participating in the bee are winners - not only do they improve their spelling and expand their vocabularies, but they also develop qualities such as poise and persistence that they can apply to all areas of their life," said Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer. "We're proud to be part of this event and help support the community and foster academic excellence."

"The Philadelphia Tribune's sponsorship of the bee underlines our commitment to literacy, education, and partnerships with the schools," said Mariska Bogle, The Philadelphia Tribune's director of Strategic Planning and Business Development.

Independence Blue Cross has contributed $15,000 to help underwrite expenses for the Citywide Bee winner and an adult escort at the 80th annual Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee this spring, and help fund prizes. Prizes will go to the winner and runner-up of the Citywide Bee, as well as to all top spellers at participating Philadelphia schools.

In addition, as part of Independence Blue Cross's sponsorship, Joyce R. Williams, Independence Blue Cross manager of community outreach and education, will serve as one of the three spelling bee judges.

The national spelling bee began in 1925 with nine contestants, and has been held annually except from 1943-1945 during World War II.  The purpose of the bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.

Through sponsorships, educational programs, and events, Independence Blue Cross continues its commitment to build the community in the Philadelphia region, and support educational opportunities for youths. For example, Independence Blue Cross has supported the One Book, One Philadelphia program since its inception, and has been a lead sponsor of the program since 2003. In addition, one of the ways Independence Blue Cross supports youth development is through its internship programs, including the Working Solutions program, which was recently unveiled by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with WorkReady Philadelphia, a city-wide effort that provides academic enrichment, and career and college preparation.

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.

The Philadelphia Tribune is the nation's oldest newspaper serving the African American community.

The School District of Philadelphia is the nation's seventh largest public school district, with approximately 200,000 students in grades K through 12 in more than 260 schools. Beginning in September of 2006, for the first time in thirty years, the School District of Philadelphia will unveil four new innovative high schools, including High School of the Future, Academy at Palumbo, Constitution High School, and the Franklin Institute's Science Leadership Academy in the same 2006-2007 school year as part of its $1.5 billion Capital Plan and sweeping education reform originally announced in 2003  The goal is to provide more school choice in high schools, academic support programs for struggling students and exemplary programs in every neighborhood secondary school.  

Since 1941, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been coordinated by the E.W. Scripps Company, a diversified media concern with interests in newspapers, broadcast television stations, cable television networks and other media-related enterprises.