MARCH 9, 2011

Bee is the Buzz

Spellers needed for 1st Annual Desert Foothills Adult Spelling Bee

SCOTTSDALE – The first annual Desert Foothills community-wide spelling bee for adults from all walks of life - ages 17 to 97 - is 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, south of 60th Street and Carefree Highway.

This new and fun community event will showcase the spelling talents of contestants from the Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale area while benefiting the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF)’s Partners in Education Committee to raise funds to support local students and teachers. Deadline to enter is Friday, March 18.

You don't have to be a champion speller for this fun team event. Participants are encouraged to BEE original and even come in costume.

Each team has three members, including the team captain/designated speller. Word for the preliminary rounds will be selected from the “Paideia” study guide, provided to each team member upon registration.

Teams participate in preliminary qualifying rounds leading to the championship round, and the winning spellers receive a trophy, prize package and local bragging rights of their spelling prowess.

Louise Rosenburgh, former President of FCF will be the pronouncer and “Chief Justice” of the spelling bee. Dr. Paul Dale, president of Paradise Valley Community College; Dr. Debbi Burdick, superintendent of Cave Creek Unified School District; and George Scobus, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun YMCA will be the judges.

Download a registration packet at: www.azfcf.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 480-488-1090. Registration begins at 5 p.m. the evening of the event. Sandwiches, drinks and dessert will be available for competitors. Practice round and instructions begin at 5:30 p.m.