Charlie Breitrose
A team of first-grade spellers compete in the 2015 Watertown Education Foundation Youth Spelling Bee.
Watertown Middle School was buzzing with activity of the fifth annual Watertown Education Foundation Youth Spelling Bee on Sunday.
Unlike many spelling bees, the Watertown event is a team event, with three students combining to spell the words. Students in grades 1-5 could participate, and the second- through fifth-graders competed to be top spellers.
While having fun and testing student’s spelling abilities, the event also raises money for the Watertown Education Foundation. It started five years ago, largely due to the efforts of WEF President Amy Donohue.
“This started on a bet by one of the other (WEF) board members,” Donohue said. “I said, ‘Ya, I’ll do it.’ We consistently have around 200 kids participate. This year it is over 200.”
Along with the entry fees, local businesses, groups and families donated to the bee.
“More people are reaching out to us with donations,” Donohue said. “It is great to know every bit of this goes back to the schools.”
Primary sponsors for the event were Belmont Savings Bank and Watertown Savings Bank. Each donated prizes to the raffle – a Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth System and an iPad Mini.
Other sponsors were: Watertown Ford, Donohue’s Bar & Grill, Watertown Strong Schools, The Plumbing Museum, Realty Executives, Rotary Club of Watertown, The Talk Restaurant, McGeough Lamacchia Realty, Toureen Pet Resort and Spa, Madison Limousine Services, Watertown Youth Lacrosse, Watertown Youth Hockey, Toyota of Watertown, Law Offices of Dmitry Lev, Inner Strength Studios, Three Sons Auto Body, State Representative John Lawn, Aqua Solutions, Rockland Trust, 3 Twins, Cimino Brothers, Miller/Tracy Children’s Foundation and The Kendall Hotel.
While students have to be in teams of threes and from the same grade, the do not have to be from the same school, Donohue said.
“They may be on the same basketball team but go to different schools,” Donohue said. “They can still be on the same team.”
Charlie Breitrose
A group of first graders at the 2015 spelling bee at Watertown Spelling Bee.
This year’s winners were:
Grade 2:
THE SECOND GRADE SPELLERS – Nairi, Mika, Naomi – Lowell school
BEE BROS – Brendan Jack and JD – Cunniff
WORD WARRIORS – Oliver, James and Daniel – Lowell
Grade 3
THE QUEEN BEES -Nina, Emma and Hadiya – Cunniff
SPELLING STARS – Chris, Darragh – Hosmer
THE REBELS – Aislin, Ciara and Lily – Lowell
Grade 4
THE AMAZING SPELLERS – Brianna, Emily and Celeste
THE PUNK-TUATORS – Will, Daniel and Adrina – Lowell
THE WHOO’s – Zuhi,Lucas and Koji – Hosmer
#MB – Sean, Soloman, Daniel – Cunniff
The BEAUTIFUL B’s – Mina, Catherine and Gabby – Hosmer
Grade 5
WALTHAM BEES – Patrick, Colin and Camden – Lowell and Cunniff
THE BEE STOOGES – Phil, Aram, Malcom – Hosmer