Community Spelling Bee Will Benefit Adult Literacy Efforts

Word nerds and spelling enthusiasts will have the chance to show what they know and benefit efforts to combat adult illiteracy on April 6 at the Annual Ron & Mary Maxwell Community Spelling Bee at Foxdale Village in State College.

It won’t have quite the high-stakes intensity of the National Spelling Bee. Instead the focus is on friendly competition, with proceeds going to the Mid-State Literacy Council’s adult literacy programs. 

The 17th annual competition is an important fundraiser for the council. As it works to improve the 12 percent illiteracy rate in Centre and Clearfield counties, the council is reliant on fundraising after massive state budget cuts in 2011 eliminated all state funding for its programs.

‘We have been working hard to recover from the funding loss,’ said Amy Wilson, the council’s executive director. ‘Fundraisers like the Spelling Bee enable us to continue providing essential education services.’

To emphasize the fun and friendly nature of the competition, the event includes teams of two to three adults, who may confer with their teammates prior to spelling. All spellers are able to use pen and paper as aides, and teams are only disqualified after their second misspelled word.

Spots are still open for spellers and participation is free. For more information visit www.mid-stateliteracycouncil.org or call 814-238-1809. The competition will begin at 6 p.m. at Foxdale, 500 E. Marylyn Ave.

The council is a non-profit organization that has provided education services to adults in Centre and Clearfield counties since 1971. It offers low-cost classes and one-on-one tutoring for adults learning reading, writing, math and English as a foreign language. During 2014-15, 225 trained volunteer tutors helped more than 300 students improve their literacy skills.  

All Community Spelling Bee teams are sponsored by local businesses and community members committed to adult literacy.