The 2024 Regional Volunteer of the Year is Craig Pearson.

Pearson, the managing editor of the Windsor Star, is the pronouncer of the WFCU Credit Union Regional Spelling Bee—a role he’s served in for the last 19 years. “I like to think that if [returning spellers] see the pronouncer for a second or third year in a row that makes them feel a little bit better,” he says.

Even with his nearly four decades of experience working as a news manager, copy editor and reporter, Pearson continues to work on perfecting his pronouncing craft. Before each regional bee, he spends weeks studying and rehearsing. “I always study with a pencil so that I can make notes. I think what’s most important is some of the alternate pronunciations,” Pearson says. “It always amazes me when I hear myself pronounce this crazy sounding word that I certainly did not know before. I studied it, and this young speller spells it back correctly.”

“Volunteers like Craig help keep the next generation of spellers inspired,” says Bryan Witt, regional partner relations specialist for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “He dedicates countless hours each year to promoting literacy and reaching kids across his community.”