Hometown Weekly Staff
The Old Post Road School held its third annual Make-A-Wish Spelling Bee on January 4.
More than 100 students in grades 3-5 took part in the bee, grouping up into teams of four to compete with other students in a battle of spelling. During the initial round, teams were challenged to spell words beginning from a third grade reading level, with the difficulty of the words increasing by grade level.
The winners of the first round advanced to the finals, where the winning teams faced off to see who would be named the top speller.
In the end, Jackson Marshall, Paul McCarthy, Mikey St. Martin and Ryan Lania of The Dancing Donkeys were named the third grade winners. Erika Rice, Colleen Finn, Olivia Romeo and Caroline Connors of The Geeky Gummybears were named the fourth grade winners, and Micaiah Brown, Mackenzie Evans and Christine Carter of The Spelling Bees were the fifth grade winners.
Every year, members of the Old Post Road Student Council help to organize the spelling bee. The council, made up of 16 students – two from each fourth and fifth grade homeroom – have been preparing for the spelling bee for months. The kids had many responsibilities, from reaching out to sponsors, to creating promotional material including posters.
Student Council members explained that they hold the spelling bee to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps make the dreams of children battling life-threatening illnesses a reality.
Morgan Simard explained all of the work the Student Council had done for the spelling bee, including producing posters and other advertising material to help raise awareness and attract contestants. T.J. Corvean added that the students also helped out throughout the spelling bee, helping to keep score.
The students noted an average wish fulfilled by the Make-A-Wish Foundation costs about $8,000, and without the support of the public, the organization would not be able to bring a smile to kids’ faces across the country, so they decided to step up and help.
“All of the money we earn goes directly to a child’s wish,” said Sophie Gill.
Many of the Student Council members who worked on the Make-A-Wish Spelling Bee were glad to volunteer their time and skills to help out fellow kids who are going through a tough time battling many times life-threatening illnesses.
“I feel good about myself when a kid with an illness has their dreams come true when they have been stuck inside a hospital for a long time,” said Emily Rose.
“It feels good because we are helping someone in need who has a life-threatening illness,” said Jenna Weylman.
The students also helped run a bake sale at the spelling bee that raised even more money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
According to Old Post Road Principal Stephen Fortin, the spelling bee took in close to $6,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Click here to see more photos from the spelling bee.
