Adult Spelling Bee

How the Bee works:

Three-person teams work simultaneously to correctly spell words as each is announced to the teams – the word is pronounced twice, defined, and used in a sentence. A team’s final answer is submitted to a spellchecker for correctness. If the spelling is correct, the team waits for the next word to be announced. If the word is incorrectly spelled, they may opt to leave the competition OR they may “buy back” the word to keep spelling. This is why we say that “Misspelled words benefit the children of Haywood County!”

There are three rounds of competition, with each round increasing in difficulty. There are 12 words in each round. In rounds 1 & 2 teams have 45 sec to submit a spelling to the spellchecker; in round 3 teams have 90 sec. To stay in the competition after misspelling a word, teams must pay $5 per word in the first round, $10 per word in the second, and $20 per word in the third round. Should a tiebreaker round be needed to determine the championship team, buy back money cannot be used for misspelled words.

Please note that while the Bee begins at 7 pm, we would like teams to check-in beginning at 6:15. A light dinner will be available for team members.

How to sign up:

Businesses donate $100 to sponsor a team plus $50 in buy back money for the team ($150 total contribution). They may identify team members,such as family, friends, staff, and clients representative of their business, or ask Kiwanis to help them assemble a team. Of course, businesses and teams are encouraged to contribute more than $50 in buy back money if possible. To enroll as a sponsor, download the Adult Spelling Bee Sponsorship Form or contact Patrick Ryan at [email protected] or 901-351-2777, and a Kiwanis member will reach out to you.

Interested in being a Gold or Silver Community Partner? Contact Eva Hansen at [email protected] or 910-494-4435.

Individuals can sign up, or form teams, and ask to be assigned to a business sponsor. If they opt to be their own team sponsor, they can sign up for $100 plus additional buy back money. We encourage all teams to solicit contributions from family and friends who support the needs of children and teens in Haywood County. It’s nice to have someone rooting for you! To sign up as an individual or team, download the Speller Registration Form or contact Patrick Ryan at [email protected] or 901-351-2777, and a Kiwanis member will reach out to you.

What’s in it for you?

As a business, you will be promoted on table signage and programs at the Bee. You will also be thanked for your contribution in a print advertisement and social media after the Bee. Perhaps best of all, you will be the recipient of community goodwill for your efforts on behalf of our most important asset, the children and teens of Haywood County.

As a participant, and aside from the fun of challenging yourself and teammates, you will be in the running for prizes. The winning team receives a traveling trophy, bee bobbleheads, and three $25 gift cards, and their achievement will be publicized in local social and print media. In addition, there will be a door prize announced for each round, so stick around to win. It is a fun night for a great cause because Kids Need Kiwanis!

Kiwanis Club of Waynesville Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our Tax ID is available upon request.