Blount County's 27th Annual Adult Spelling Bee on Saturday, April 27, isn't only for the erudite.
Joining in the fundraiser for adult education programs need not be worrisome or cause any angst.
The Adult Education Foundation of Blount County has posted a mammoth study guide online for the 2019 word list it is using from the Scripps National Spelling Bee. You can develop some mnemonics, and there won't be any neologisms.
Two-member teams can consult before giving an answer, and if they miss there's no need for chagrin.
All the loot raised from the bee and accompanying auction supports a range of programs for adult learners. "Our goal is to raise over $4,000," said foundation Executive Director Jackie Taylor.
If you haven's stumbled in reading thus far, you're a good candidate, because we've sprinkled in several words from this year's list.
Team effort
Individuals and organizations may sponsor a full team for $300 or half team for $150. If they don't have their own spellers, organizers will match volunteer spellers with them given enough time, but teams also can register the morning of the event.
"We're always seeking spellers that would help with teams," said Taylor.
Last year Kathleen Christy and Jesse Gilliland, sponsored by Dwight Price Group Realty Executives Associates, defeated four-time bee champions Kathleen Mavournin and Bob Richmond.
Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators, directors and executive producers of the Netflix series "Stranger Things" are sponsoring two teams so that they may compete against one another, according Taylor.
Other teams sponsorships have come in from Smith Life and Legacy, West Chevrolet, Kizer & Black Attorneys, the Dwight Price Group Realty Executives, Alcoa Kiwanis, Blount Memorial Hospital, First United Methodist Church, The Daily Times, Team Hall and Dennis and Heather Lawson.
The foundation also is seeking donations for its auction, which will begin that day and close online May 10, the Friday before Mother's Day.
The Duffers are again donating two signed "Stranger Things" posters for the fundraiser's auction. Their aunt Carol Ergenbright has been involved with adult education in Blount County for years.
Other auction items include gift baskets and gift cards with themes including gardening, and there might be a surprise item this year.
Programs
The foundation supports a range of programs for adults, including English language learning, preparing for high school equivalency exams, financial literacy and more. Some participants may be honing skills to advance in their jobs or just fulfilling a decades-long goal to pass that high school exam.
A grant to fund an evening ELL class for adults is expiring soon. Although Taylor hopes the program will receive another grant to continue, foundation funding can bridge the gap from when one grant ends until the next begins.
English learning is just the first step for those students, who not only may gain skills to help their children but also prepare themselves to take the driver's license tests, earn a high school equivalency exam and practice for a citizenship test.
In other programs the foundation's money may cover costs such as books or test fees.
Board President Margaret Muller said a program based at the jail has about two graduates a month completing high school equivalency degrees, an accomplishment that can help reduce recidivism.
High school equivalency preparation also is available in other locations, such as the American Job Center. With the current economy the number of people earning the credential in those programs is down to about five a month. Muller said while it may be easy now to be hired without that, workers often find they need it to advance in the workplace.
At the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center, students in programs such as welding and machine tool technology can get help boosting reading and math skills through the foundation's efforts.
Muller has been involved with the adult education foundation since 2000. "I can't think of a more noble cause," she said. "You're changing peoples lives."
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