The Graydon-Head internal office spelling bee winners last year, Emma Off, Amanda Penick, and Bianca Gracanin and Jeff Hanneken, alternate, competed in the Scripps Spelling Bee for Literacy to help raise funds and awareness for the Literacy Network.
Is your company looking for a team-building, motivational event for employees that will give your company valuable exposure and help others in need? If so, the adult Scripps Spelling Bee for Literacy is the answer!

The Literacy Network is now accepting teams for the event at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Holy Grail, Banks. Hosted by B-105’s Chris Carr and Company, teams of three adults compete together against teams from various companies.

Each team has one minute to discuss the word and one chance to spell it correctly. Rounds continue until one team is left standing and crowned champions of the Bee! The winning team will receive a prize package valued at over $500 and all participants are guaranteed fun – F-U-N!

Just ask the staff at Graydon-Head. Every spring, they sharpen their spelling skills for this annual fundraiser to benefit the Literacy Network. The firm sponsors the event and sends a team to compete for the title of best spellers in the city.

“This has been a great tradition at Graydon-Head,” said Partner Harry Cappel. “Everyone in the firm is invited to participate. We hold a qualifying round at lunch the week before the event to determine who will represent the firm. We usually get over 20 people trying out to advance, with the top three finishers moving on to the Bee.”

“Choosing the team this way allows there to be a fair chance for anyone who is interested. It’s a great team-building activity and creates interest for those who may not have made the team or anyone in the audience to go cheer on team Graydon at the actual event,” said Lauren Martin, Marketing Coordinator.

In addition to helping fund the reading programs and classes at the Literacy Network, companies receive valuable recognition in the community for their support of improving literacy. “It is a win-win for us. There is a competitive spirit in the office leading up to our qualifying round and we always have a great cheering section for our finalists. This event instills a sense of pride and team work among colleagues in the firm,” said Cappel. “We are proud to be part of this unique event to help improve literacy.”

Karen Renz who organizes the Graydon team said, “To me it’s community awareness and great exposure for the Literacy Network. It’s a worthy event and a necessity, people need to learn how to read and write to be successful.”

Corporate team entry fees start at $500 and include sponsorship, logo recognition and admission tickets for the Bee as outlined on the registration form. Individual teams of three, not sponsored by a company can also enter for $300.

For more information on entering a team in the Scripps Spelling Bee for Literacy, visit www.lngc.org/drupal/calendar/ or call (513) 621-7323.