Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual IPEI Adult Spelling Bee, a family-friendly community event with 28 spelling bee teams – three team members each – as well as an official pronouncer, timekeeper, and judges. The Bee is the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)’s signature fundraising event raising funds for IPEI grants for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers. Last year over $90,000 in grants was awarded for projects that enhance the education of ICSD students.
Scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Ithaca High School Wellness Center Gym, this fun-filled gathering draws a large crowd of all ages eager to watch the teams of spellers representing local businesses, schools, and community groups. Team costumes are encouraged, and cheering sections rally the competitors as the teams battle it out to make it to the championship round vying for the Fuzzy Bee trophy.
This year’s Bee will pilot a new format based on the Bozeman School Foundation, Montana, with Jeopardy style rounds. With this new approach, teams in each round will be given the same words to spell at the same time, and the pace of spelling is expected to increase.
Thanks to the Bee’s event sponsors, all other proceeds go directly toward funding IPEI grants for The Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor is Chemung Canal Trust Company, and the Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor is Wells Fargo Financial Advisors. Sciarabba Walker and Cayuga Radio Group are Gold Ribbon Sponsors.
Spelling Bee team entry fees (minimum $400 each) are paid by local businesses and organizations or by the spellers themselves. While online registration after January 4 is encouraged, entry forms can also be downloaded from here. During the Bee there’s also a silent auction and other ways for event spectators to participate. In advance of the Bee, advertisements can be purchased in the event program, and spellers will be seeking support.
Contact the Spelling Bee Committee, ipei@ipei.org to get involved or with questions. The chair is Jennifer Biloski, jbiloski@twcny.rr.com, 607-227-1905.