Plans for Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education’s fourth annual Spell-A-Bration adult spelling bee are off to a good start.

The local organization held a news conference Monday announcing this year’s event. Eighteen teams have already signed up for the Feb. 20 competition at the Knights of Columbus Hall, said enrichment coordinator Anne Grubbs, with more teams sought.

Last year’s event boasted 23 teams from area businesses and organizations. This year’s entry fee is $300 per team.

WBKO anchor Gene Birk has agreed to be the event’s announcer, and Western Kentucky University football coach David Elson will be the official emcee, Grubbs said.

Grubbs said the spelling bee lets people know that academic competitions are just as important as athletic ones.

“This fits with our mission,” Grubbs said. “It’s for the geek chic.”

This year, there will again be a silent auction and an art contest as part of the event. The art contest is titled “Warren County – The Places I Love.” Kindergartners through eighth-graders will have the chance to design note cards depicting the places they love in Warren County.

While all participants will receive a ribbon and their entries will be displayed during the event, four designs will be picked to appear on Community Education’s new note card. The four winners will receive $50 savings bonds from sponsor U.S. Bank, along with gift baskets from area businesses.

For a fee, Spell-A-Bration attendees will also 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.

Proceeds from the event go to 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 adults with enrichment classes throughout the year.

Last year’s Spell-A-Bration netted about $9,000 for the organization, said Debbie Wade-Jordan, community education executive director.

The title sponsor for this year’s event is Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

“We are happy to support this,” said Drew Stahlman, human resources manager for Hill’s. “It’s a good activity and a great fundraiser.”

Admission to the Spell-A-Bration, which will start at 6 p.m., is $5.

 

Jordan, Natalie (2009, January). Organizers want more teams for annual adult spelling bee. Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/organizers-want-more-teams-for-annual-adult-spelling-bee/article_82eeedb3-94cf-5463-adfd-95ac7826d3fd.html