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Press Release

Top Spellers to Compete in Citywide Spelling Bee Cosponsored by Independence Blue Cross

Philadelphia winner to advance to Scripps National Spelling Bee

Philadelphia, PA - March 7, 2008 - Top spellers from Philadelphia public, private, parochial, charter, and home schools will compete in a citywide spelling bee on Saturday, March 8, 2008, and vie for a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The Citywide Bee contestants are the top classroom spellers in grades six through eight and five fifth-grade finalists of a “spelldown” for the top fifth-grade classroom spellers in the city. The winner of the Citywide Bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in Washington, D.C. from May 29 through May 30.

Independence Blue Cross has contributed $15,000 to help underwrite expenses for the Citywide Bee winner and an adult chaperone at the 2008 Scripps 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.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Independence Blue Cross is cosponsoring the event with The Philadelphia Tribune. Joyce R. Williams, Independence Blue Cross manager of community outreach and education, will serve as one of the three spelling bee judges.

The Citywide Bee will be hosted by the School District of Philadelphia at its headquarters at 440 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia. The competition will begin at 11:45 a.m. The Fifth Grade Spelldown will be held two hours before the Citywide Bee.

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. 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.

Independence Blue Cross is committed to strengthening the well-being of the people and communities it serves through sponsorships, educational programs, and events. The company supports educational opportunities for youth through programs such as the Citywide Bee and various internship programs, including the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Working Solutions program, a citywide effort that provides academic enrichment and career and college preparation.

Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross’s HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.