Adult Spelling Bee teams put the f-u-n in fundraiser
Creatively costumed and reasonably rowdy, 28 teams put the f-u-n in “fundraiser” Tuesday evening when the Lenoir County Education Foundation convened its annual Adult Spelling Bee to benefit teachers and students in Lenoir County Public Schools.
Fittingly, two teams of educators schooled the competition. After judges sorted out an eight-way tie that ended the third and final round of spelling, the Lenoir Community College No. 2 team and the Banks Elementary School No. 1 team were still deadlocked based on the fewest number of misses. In the ensuing spell-off, the LCC squad correctly spelled “pilosebaceous” to claim the 2024 title.
LCC spellers were Dr. Dusk Stroud, Catherine Hardee, Dr. Maria Messner and Dr. Jarrett Whelan. Virtually the same team – all but Stroud – finished second in 2023. The team donated its $300 cash prize to Lenoir County Learning Academy.
This year’s second-place team from Banks was comprised of Austin Reese, Jenifer Oliver, Alyssa Citero and Bobbi Colie. Second place netted Banks $200.
Third place went to the team from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, winner of the last two bees. Spellers were Tyler Nute, Kathy Hyler, Laura Jackson and Lee Albritton. The $100 prize was donated to Northwest Elementary School, with which St. Mary’s partners on a number of projects and activities.
The Spirit Award went to four spellers – three dressed as bees, complete with wings, and the fourth costumed as the beekeeper – representing the Business (or Bee’s-ness) and Industry Division at LCC. Team members were Penni Bland, Kristy Grady, Carla Jones and Tiffany Kennedy.
The Adult Spelling Bee, organized by the Education Foundation and the Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, its parent organization, combines with the Foundation’s annual golf tournament to raise thousands of dollars to be distributed as mini-grants to Lenoir County Public School teachers. The 2023 grant program provided 89 grants valued at $37,000 to teachers at 14 schools.
The event generates funds through sponsorships, team registration fees and “buy words,” which allow teams to erase a misspelling for a price.
Queen Bee sponsor of this year’s contest, held at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, was Lenoir Community College. Judy Jones State Farm stepped up for the Stinger Sponsorship. Honeybee Sponsors were Piggly Wiggly, the NC Pork Council, BBQ Festival on the Neuse, Minges Bottling, Alsco Uniforms, King’s Restaurant and Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Service.
Dr. Rusty Hunt, president of Lenoir Community College, emceed the event and Tyndall Davis, a teacher at North Lenoir High School, served as pronouncer.
Flanked by Cale Grady, left, president and CEO of the Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Rusty Hunt, president of Lenoir Community College, are the winners of the 2024 Lenoir County Education Foundation Adult Spelling Bee. Members of the team, Lenoir Community College No. 2, are, from left, Dr. Dusk Stroud, Catherine Hardee, Dr. Maria Messner and Dr. Jarrett Whelan.
Finishing second in Tuesday evening Adult Spelling Bee, competing as Banks Elementary School No. 1, were, from left, Austin Reese, Jenifer Oliver, Alyssa Citero and Bobbi Colie.
Third place in the Adult Spelling Bee went to the team from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Members are, from left, Tyler Nute, Kathy Hyler, Laura Jackson and Lee Albritton.
Winners of the Spirit Award at the Adult Spelling Bee were, from left, Penni Bland, Kristy Grady, Carla Jones and Tiffany Kennedy, representing Lenoir Community College’s Business (or Bee’s-ness) and Industry Division.
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