Everyone is invited to the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Adult Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Ithaca High School’s Wellness Center Gym. There is no admission charge for the 16th annual event that features 28 spelling teams of three adults each competing for the championship Fuzzy Bee trophy and raising funds for the IPEI’s grants for teachers. And although most teams bring their own cheering sections, there’s always room in the gym for more fans!
There will be complimentary refreshments from local businesses and attendees can support grants for teachers by participating in the silent auction and pledging an amount per correctly spelled word. Doors open at 1:30 pm. to allow time for review of the auction items.
In the past, teams have come up with creative names like We Spell Krazy Good (WSKG), BJM Spell Casters, 3 of 6,000, Takin’ Care of Buzz-ness, Spellabrate Good Times – Come On, Don’t Stop Bee-lievin’, The LACS Alternative Spellerz, and the Hilarious Spell-Loehrs. Two teams are back after multiple championships: the Spellicans and Fine Arts “Word” Boosters. Teams may be comprised of community members who want to support local public education and enjoy spelling. Others are closely connected to the Ithaca City School District (ICSD): Ithaca Teachers Association, ICSD Administration, ICSD Board of Education, Fall Creek Elementary School, Belle Sherman Elementary School, BJM Elementary School, Caroline Elementary School, Ithaca High School PTA, Ithaca High School Math Department, Lehman Alternative Community School, Fine Arts Booster Group, IthacaSTEM Advocates, and the Ithaca Council of PTAs.
Teams represent the event sponsors and team sponsors such as CFCU, Wegmans, Greenstar, Carol Bushberg Real Estate, Audrey Edelman RealtyUSA, Ithaca College, Harris Beach PLLC, CSP Management, Hunt Engineers, UPS Store, Ambis Dental, Anchor Capital Management, Cats Pajamas, Buell-Mix Properties, Cotterill Agency, Haylor Freyer & Coon, Robert Maciel Associates, Midstate Basement Authority, Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and Wordsmyth. Championship Round Prizes provided by DonorsChoose.org and Steve Ryan.
A big thanks goes to Chemung Canal Trust Company, the Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor for the fourth year, Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, and two Gold Ribbon Runner Up Sponsors, Cayuga Radio Group and Sciarabba Walker & Co. Their corporate support covers all event expenses so that team sponsorships directly support grants for teachers. West Hill Graphics and Calf Audio are also key event partners.
Refreshments are being donated by Aladdin’s Natural Eatery, B & W Supply Company, Collegetown Bagels, Cornell Orchards, Ithaca Coffee Company, Mark’s Pizzeria, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Ned’s Pizzeria, P&C Fresh, Subway, Tops, and Wings Over Ithaca. A new component of the Bee is a silent auction of 43 items. The Wellness Center doors will open at 1:30 pm. to allow time for review of the wide range of offerings items from restaurants, museums, retail shops, salons and spas, educational organizations, and inns. In addition, this year’s event program features advertisements from more generous businesses.
In case of severe inclement weather, a decision to cancel the event will be made by 9:00 a.m. on March 2. This decision will be posted on the web, and announced by Facebook and Twitter.