It’s almost H-E-R-E.

The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Spell-A-Bration 2009 will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Knights of Columbus Hall. And the fourth annual adult spelling bee is slated to have 24 teams – the most ever, said Debi Wade Jordan, executive director of Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education.

“We have some new teams this year, and I think the teams are excited,” said Anne Grubbs, enrichment and volunteer coordinator for Community Education. “We have a good representation across the board, and we were happy to see that.”

Last year’s event boasted 23 teams from area businesses and organizations.

WBKO television anchor Gene Birk has agreed to be the event’s announcer, and Western Kentucky University football coach David Elson will be the official emcee. Admission is $5.

Proceeds from the event will benefit community education, which uses fundraisers like Spell-A-Bration to offset costs for its clientele, Grubbs said. Community education serves about 1,200 children and an additional 500 to 700 adults with enrichment classes throughout the year.

Last year’s Spell-A-Bration netted about $9,000 for the organization, Jordan said previously.

Each year, spectators and participants look forward to a unique kickoff to the event, but that remains secret until it happens, Grubbs said. Giving a teaser, Grubbs said, “it’s going to be one of a kind.”

For a fee, Spell-A-Bration attendees also will have the chance to vote for their favorite team, and teams will be able to purchase “spell again” and “ask an expert” chances, allowing them to choose another word or ask someone in the audience how they think a word is spelled, Grubbs said. Awards will be given to the most spirited, best mascot and best costumed team as well.

This year, there will again be an art contest and a silent auction – with items ranging from dental work to sports tickets – as part of the event.

“There are just a lot of wonderful items,” Jordan said. “Our community has been generous.”

The spelling bee is a key fundraiser for community education, Jordan said.

With preparation for the event almost complete and the words under lock and key, Grubbs said they are doing last minute touches to make it a special evening for everyone.

“What’s unique about this fundraiser is it highlights educational efforts,” Grubbs said. “It highlights for kids that academic achievement is worthy of note … and it’s fun.”

 

Jordan, Natalie (2009, February). Spell-A-Bration 2009 boasts most teams ever. Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/spell-a-bration-boasts-most-teams-ever/article_a2d96957-967d-570c-97f5-0784b99342f1.html