UTICA, N.Y. -- Qualifying rounds for the first ever Central New York Americu Spelling Bee was held Saturday morning at Mohawk Valley Community College. Students from schools throughout the Mohawk Valley tried spelling their way into the final round. In the end, ten students qualified for the finals, which will be held next Saturday at the Americu Credit Union in Rome.

Organizers said they put this competition together to get kids focused on their education.

“Basically, a lot of things are focused on sports. We wanted to focus on the reason that our kids are in school, which is education. So we had our spelling bee for it. We had a great turnout today. We're very excited with all the kids that showed up and the schools jumped right on board to be part of it," said Kristy Clifford, Keeler Productions Business Manager.

The winner of the spelling bee will receive a $500 savings bond from Americu Credit Union along with a $500 dollar gift certificate to Wal-Mart of North Utica.