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"I just wanted to thank WEF for supporting the Sunspotters grant. I'm excited to use them in all my classes and I know my students will be too!"
Rita Chang, WHS Science Teacher
The Annual Wellesley Spelling Bee
Click here to view more photos from the event
With generous support from Wellesley Bank, Babson and Wellesley College, the Wellesley Education Foundation hosted its 23rd Annual Wellesley Spelling Bee at Sprague School on Thursday, November 8th, 2012. There were 52 teams competing in seven nail-biting preliminary rounds, leading to an all-star championship round that included teams from the Wellesley Middle School PTO, Schofield PTO, WHS's National Honor Society, Wellesley Youth Football's "4th and Goal", the Wellesley Council on Aging's "Spellbinders", Wellesley Advisory Committee's "Bee Advised", Benoit Mizner Simon Real Estate and Health Advances' " Team 2".
Challenged by a round of international culinary words, the Council on Aging team came out victorious as they successfully navigated the tricky test of "churrasco" followed by "sacalait". Triumphant in their victory, team members Elaine Elliot, George Dummer, and Marlene Bortman proudly display their trophy (below).
Teams were drawn from around Wellesley's corporate, charitable, academic, athletic and governmental organizations. The Bee raised $44,000 thanks to generous contributions by individuals, teams and corporate sponsors throughout the town. Every PTO participated as did many high school student groups, Fire, Police, Selectmen, School Committee and many corporate groups, including major sponsors. We are so grateful for all our 2012 Spelling Bee sponsors.
Departing teams were heard to compare notes on study techniques, flash card methodology and online dictionary study guides, promising an exciting slate of entrants for the 24th Bee next November. Hold the 2013 date: Thursday, November 7th, 2013! See you then!
The mission of the Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) is to invest in programs that enhance, enrich and maintain educational excellence and foster innovation in the Wellesley Public Schools. Since 1984, residents and businesses of our community have collaborated and supported the Wellesley public schools through generous donations to WEF. Our town has a long tradition of valuing its schools and providing high-quality education to our children. WEF's Board of Directors consists of volunteers who are committed to preserving the quality of our schools. We raise funds throughout the year by seeking contributions from residents, businesses and corporate/private enterprises who believe that excellent public schools are essential to the social and economic fabric of our community.
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 Bee does not involve solo spelling. Teams within the round spells each word simultaneously. The emcee announces the word and then the three member teams have 25 seconds to discuss and write down their answers. At the gong, each team holds up their board. The correct spellers continue. Each speller is supplied a study guide of most of the spelling words. Some teams study; others choose a more casual approach.
The Bee Co-Chairs pair Sponsors with Teams that are in need, such as High School Student Teams and non-profit community groups.