On the first Thursday in November, WEF sponsors an adult spelling bee, with teams competing from local businesses,
law firms, alumni groups, community organizations and PTO's as well as student teams from Wellesley High School.
This Wellesley tradition is a major fundraiser for WEF and great fun for participants and observers alike.
To participate, each team pays a tax-deductible fee of $450. In addition, Wellesley College and Babson College
generously donate a matching $75 for each team entered in the Bee. Many teams creatively fund the entry fee.
For example, college alums might collect donations from fellow alums who want to show support for their school's
team. New teams are always welcome. Spaces fill up quickly, so reserve your spot early.
If you prefer not to spell but you would like to participate, you may sponsor a team or make a donation. The
Wellesley High School and community service teams must be sponsored to participate.
The Wellesley cable station records the event and broadcasts it several times. A printed program, distributed
at the Bee as well as ads in the Wellesley Townsman list the teams, sponsors and donors.
Approximately 50 teams, each made up of three members, participate in the Spelling Bee. Seven or eight teams
compete in a round. The winners of each round compete in the championship round. The champions take home the
Ruth Humphries Bee Trophy to keep for their reigning year. A plaque listing all of the winners hangs in the
Wellesley Free Library. The Wellesley High School Juniors won the 2005 Bee-the first time ever that a student
team has won. The same team came back in 2006 as the Senior Spellers and was triumphant again!
The Bee does not involve solo spelling. Each team within the round spells each word simultaneously. The emcee
announces the word and then the teams have 25 seconds to discuss and write down their answers. At the gong,
they hold up their boards. The correct spellers continue. Each speller is supplied with a Paideia, the study
guide of most of the spelling words. Some teams study; others choose a more casual approach.
Here are pictures from the 2009 Bee. As you can see, the Bee can be a lot of fun!
Winning WEF's 20th annual Spelling Bee in November 2008 was the
World of Wellesley team (left of trophy). Also shown is Mike Dowling, the M.C. and 2 of the helper bees.
The winning moment with only 2 teams left - the final word: imputrescible
Here are pictures from the 2008 Bee.
Winning WEF's 19th annual Spelling Bee in November 2008 was the
The Wellesley Green Team (they won last year also) which is trying to raise
awareness that building a green high school
is better, smarter and cheaper. The 3 women on the green team (centered around trophy) are
L to R: Ann Rappaport, Pamela Posey, Katie Smith Milway. Also shown is the green team support staff and
some of this year's bee helpers.
The Judges.
This video (left) came from Elana Zak at The Wellesley Townsman.
Here are pictures from the 2007 Bee.
Winning WEF's 18th annual Spelling Bee in November 2007 was the
The Wellesley Green Team which is trying to raise awareness that building a green high school
is better, smarter and cheaper. The 3 women on the green team (centered around trophy) are
L to R: Katie Smith Milway, Ann Rappaport, Pamela Posey. Mike Dowling, the M.C. is in the back.
The Judges.
Sprague PTO won the PTO round.
Here are pictures from the 2006 Bee.
Winning WEF's 17th annual Spelling Bee in November 2006 was the
Wellesley High Senior Spellers (These same 3 students won last year also). Left to Right:
Erin Mathews (bee), Charlotte Bergin, Andrew Mayersohn, Mari Oye, Mike Dowling (Master of Ceremonies)
The Judges.
Babson and Wellesley college both donated BIG checks.
The Bee and her helpers.
Notice the bee helper about to flip their team name
over after mispelling a word (the shame!).
The winning word for 2006: pleonasm
Here are pictures from the 2005 Bee. As you can see, the Bee can be a lot of fun!
Winning WEF's 16th annual Spelling Bee in November 2005 was the
Wellesley High Juniors Spelling Team.
The Judges.
Here are pictures from the 2004 Bee.
Winning WEF's 15th annual Spelling Bee in November 2004 was the
Babson College team. From left to right are
Jim Hoopes, The Bee, Marty Tropp, Lisa DiCarlo-Devine
WEF President Janet Larson receives a check from Wellesley College.
Obviously the Tenacre Country Day School
spelling team knows how to get into the spirit.
When asked how to spell "Rena" (as in Rena Mirkin the Principal of WHS),
these High School students didn't hesitate.
Sprague PTO wins the "PTO round" (as it did 2 years earlier).
Here are pictures from the 2003 Bee.
Winning WEF's 14th annual Spelling Bee in November 2003 was the
Wellesley Booksmith team. From left to right are Jess Morrison,
The Bee,
Lee Van Kirk,
Susan Taylor
Master of Ceremonies Mike Dowling.
Les Femmes Legales
Duke Alumni team (note the sweatshirts)
One of the Wellesley High School teams
Tenacre School team
Here are pictures from the 2002 Bee.
Winning WEF's 13th annual Spelling Bee in November 2002 was the
Coldwell Banker Central Street Office team. From left to right are
Cynthia Ballantyne (Bee Cochair), Sharon Grant, Beverly Rubin, Doris Roberts,
Barbara Bloom (Bee Cochair), Emily Francis (the Bee)
The Hardy team (with an easy word to spell).
The fans of the Sprague PTO team which beat out all the other PTOs.
Below are pictures from the 2001 Bee.
Winning WEF's 12th annual Spelling Bee in November 2001 was the
Century 21 Westward Homes team. Two members are shown with MC Mike Dowling at left.
The 2000 Bee raised about $27,000. Below are pictures from the 2000 Bee.
Master of Ceremonies Mike Dowling.
Winning WEF's 11th annual Spelling Bee in November 2000 was the
Harvard/Radcliffe team, including, from left, Lisa Muto, Jim Barr, and Jonathan
Stein.
