DAVIS COUNTY -- Dan Quayle never would have made it this far. To the Davis County Spelling Bee, that is. After advancing through several grueling preliminary bees, 32 elementary school students plus dozens of junior high students from schools across the county will be competing in the Davis County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 13.

The spelling bee takes place at Davis High School, beginning at 7 p.m. Spellers, however, should be at the school by 6:30 p.m. to register.

Up for grabs for the first-place winner is the opportunity to attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., this May.

This trip includes six grueling, but fun-filled, days in Washington, D.C., for the winner and a guardian.

Beyond the actual spelling bee, the winner will be able to visit historic sites in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as attend special events hosted by the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Beyond the trip to Washington, D.C., the first place winner also will receive a first-place trophy, a $100 savings bond, Webster's Third International Dictionary and online Encyclopedia Britannica.

The second-place winner will receive a trophy, $20 Amazon.com gift certificate, Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and online Encyclopedia Britannica.

The third-place winner will receive a trophy, $20 Amazon.com gift certificate and online Encyclopedia Britannica.

Honorable mention winners will each be given a recognition certificate and online Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Davis County Spelling Bee and the opportunity to attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee is being sponsored by the Davis County Clipper and the Davis County PTAs. Hotel expenses will be covered by State Rep. Kevin Garn, and Columbus Travel will assist with the cost of airfare. Signature Press of North Salt Lake will provide certificates of participation for all spellers.

The Davis County Spelling Bee will begin with a performance by the Davis High School drumline. From there, students will begin their spell-off, determining who will be attending the national bee. The county-wide spelling bee will be broadcast at a later date on Channel 17.

On Tuesday, March 13, watch for a special section of the Davis County Clipper, which will profile each of the spellers competing in Tuesday's spelling bee.

For more information about the Davis County Spelling Bee, call 295-2251. For information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit www.spellingbee.com.