By Morgan Bryce
Associate Editor
The Lee County Literacy Coalition’s 15th annual “Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee” will be held Aug. 9 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Alumni Center.
Modeled to mimic the format of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, representatives from local businesses and organizations will compete in the local version of the event.
Serving as judges for this year’s event will be Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, Kim Hudson of the Hudson Family Foundation and stand-up comic/columnist Jody Fuller. Auburn University announcer Rod Bramblett will serve as the chief word pronouncer.
Jim ‘N Nick’s will cater an open-barbecue bar, and door prizes will be given away throughout the event.
According to LCLC Director Stacie Money, the spelling bee is vitally important to furthering her organization’s mission of teaching adults to be proficient in mathematics, reading and writing in order to succeed in society.
“Our county currently has approximately 14,000 adults who struggle with literacy. With the funding from this event and other sources, we can continue to offer our services free to the community and expand our programming,” Money said. “The Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee is a fun way for businesses and organizations in our community to support our organization. It’s also a way for us to get the word out to people about what we do.”
Team slots are already filled, but audience tickets are still available at a cost of $40 each. For more information, visit www.leecountyliteracy.org or call 334-705-0001.
The event venue is located at 317 S. College St.
Pictured top right: Jody Fuller tries to fly in preparation of the event. Left to right: Rod Bramblett, Kim Hudson, Fuller, Sheriff Jay Jones and Pam Powers-Smith. Bramblett will be the word pronouncer, Powers-Smith will be the emcee and Fuller, Hudson and Jones will be judging.
Bottom: The 2017 winners – Jaena Alabi and Greg Schmidt from the Auburn University Libraries.