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The Wellesley Education Foundation is celebrating the Annual Spelling Bee’s 30th Anniversary this year! The bee will be held on Wednesday, November 13, at 7 p.m. at Sprague Elementary School.
The bee features three-person adult teams who work together. Teams write their answers on an erasable white board, allowing multiple teams to spell the word simultaneously, which maximizes teamwork and takes individuals out of the spotlight. The evening starts with a number of preliminary rounds which pit businesses, colleges, student teams, and town and community organizations against each other to proceed to the final round. Last year’s bee featured 55 teams, for a total of 165 participants.
For 30 years, WEF has brought the community together with this evening of friendly competition. Over the years, the event has grown to become a favorite event on the Wellesley fall calendar. Participants gather in advance for a last look at the word guide, and food graciously provided by local businesses and restaurants. Then the main action starts in the gym, where hundreds of spectators cheer on their favorite team. Leading the evening will be master of ceremonies Mike Dowling, former WCVB sportscaster. Mike has been a key part of the evening over its successful and long run.
Some teams express their creativity with themed costumes and vie for the Spirit Award. Families and spectators buy raffle tickets to try to get their favorite team into the winning round through the last chance raffle.
Entries are due by October 18, and registration can be completed online. The bee is a major fundraiser for WEF in order to support its grants, which benefit all students of the Wellesley Public Schools. Sponsorship of this event is welcomed at any level. For more information, to register, or sponsor, visit wellesleyeducationfoundation.org/spelling-bee.
