Brunswick literacy group to hold annual spelling bee

Competing teams will meet in a war of words May 11 when the Brunswick County Literacy Council holds its annual spelling bee at Odell Williamson Auditorium’s Virginia Williamson Event Center on the Brunswick Community College main campus. The free event begins at 7 p.m., and the public is invited.

Teams of two will vie for top spelling honors as the pronouncer gives each competing team a word. The duo has 20 seconds to collaborate, then 15 seconds to spell the given word, and spelling will continue until one team emerges the winner. In addition to the champion spellers, the team with the best spirit and best costumes also will receive an award.

Pictured are winners of the 2014 bee, Anita Stevens (center) and Anne Bailey (right), receiving their trophy from Spelling Bee Chairman Matt Ernst.

There also will be the Spelling Bee Super Silent A-to-Z Auction at 6 p.m., so come early and bid often on a wide array of items ranging from restaurant gift cards to diamond earrings to massage treatments. For the first time, participants can view the spelling bee auction items and submit pre-bids on the literacy council’s website, www.bcliteracy.org.

Last year there were 19 teams, and the hope this year is to increase that number. Any team of two adults may register. There is an entry fee of $250 per team, paid either by the contestants or by a team sponsor. Registration deadline is May 1.

In addition to sponsorships, donations to the literacy council in any amount are appreciated. Bee sponsorship, registration entry and donation forms can be found at www.bcliteracy.org or call 910-754-7323 for more information.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Brunswick literacy group to hold annual spelling bee."