Spelling bee will benefit library foundation

The Friends Foundation of the Cape Girardeau Public Library will host its first Citywide Spelling Bee on March 20, when up to 20 teams will compete for prizes as they raise money for the foundation.

Teams of three will work to spell words that start at an easy level and become more challenging as the competition continues. The spelling bee is limited to 20 teams, and about six teams have registered so far, an organizer said Monday.

Registration deadline is Friday, and the cost for each team is $75. Participants should be ages 14 or older. Entry for spectators is $2 and includes refreshments.

All proceeds benefit the Friends Foundation and will support summer reading programs, technology upgrades and maintenance, additional material needs and more.

Teams that finish first, second or third will receive prizes such as local honey, coffee mugs and gift certificates.

The spelling bee is like a trivia night and scholar bowl rolled into one, library director Betty Martin said in a news release.

"I attended one in New Hampshire several years ago and loved the way it brought people from different parts of the community together for a friendly competition," Martin said.

Jade Samanta, a freshman at Saxony Lutheran High School, has attended the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., and is lending his expertise to the event by creating the word lists and serving as head judge.

Stacy Dohogne Lane, a Friends Foundation board member, said the group has organized book sales in the past, but the more money it can raise as a foundation, the more support it can provide to the library.

"The fundraiser jelled nicely with that," she said, adding the foundation plans to make the spelling bee an annual event. "We're hoping to lay a really solid foundation and create a high-quality event."

Sponsors for the spelling bee include Alliance Bank, Edward Jones, Element 74, First Midwest Bank, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau and the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, Cape Girardeau Unit.

Sponsorships begin at $150, and those interested in becoming a sponsor are asked to email Lane at sdohognelane@gmail.com.

To register for the event, download a form from CapeLibary.org/SpellingBee or go to the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark St.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639