Spelling bee benefactor b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l

National spelling bee wannabes got an early Christmas present when a Minneapolis law firm agreed to sponsor a regional spelling bee.

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Lockridge Grindal Nauen will sponsor a Twin Cities area bee, which qualifies a winner to the national bee, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Saturday.

The Minneapolis newspaper Star Tribune, citing a philosophical difference of opinion, pulled out as the regional event sponsor after organizers began charging a fee to participating schools. If a sponsor weren't found by Jan. 6, school district champs couldn't qualify for the national bee in Washington, national officials said.

"It's something that would be hard to imagine not happening," said Ted Grindal, a partner who heads the firm's government relations department, the newspaper reported. "The kids work so hard and should have some recognition."

A few sponsors inquired about supporting a regional bee after word the Pioneer Press published a Thursday article about the competition's demise, said Paige Kimble, director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

While the firm found a way to sponsor a competition March 13 but wasn't sure about a commitment in the future, Grindal said.