Annual Delta Zeta Community Spelling Bee
As women educators sponsoring the Annual Delta Zeta Community Spelling Bee, we participate in an evening of fun and fellowship in support of the Dare Education Foundation, the Delta Zeta grants-in-aid which provide financial assistance for Dare County students pursuing degrees in education, and the chapter scholarships which provides assistance to chapter members. On this day, teams sponsored by businesses, schools, civic groups, and individuals will gather at Kitty Hawk Elementary School gymnasium. The rules require that each team work as a unit to spell the called words; no individual is on the spot, or in the spotlight. A spirit of camaraderie in competition prevails as the team leader gives in writing the group’s decision, one word at a time and one round after another until a winning team emerges. Teams are eliminated on the fourth miss. Each team will also have an opportunity for “buy back” chances after the fourth miss, allowing the team to continue competing. The winning team will have its team name engraved on a perpetual trophy that it can display until next year’s competition.
As women educators sponsoring the Annual Delta Zeta Community Spelling Bee, we participate in an evening of fun and fellowship in support of the Dare Education Foundation, the Delta Zeta grants-in-aid which provide financial assistance for Dare County students pursuing degrees in education, and the chapter scholarships which provides assistance to chapter members. On this day, teams sponsored by businesses, schools, civic groups, and individuals will gather at Kitty Hawk Elementary School gymnasium. The rules require that each team work as a unit to spell the called words; no individual is on the spot, or in the spotlight. A spirit of camaraderie in competition prevails as the team leader gives in writing the group’s decision, one word at a time and one round after another until a winning team emerges. Teams are eliminated on the fourth miss. Each team will also have an opportunity for “buy back” chances after the fourth miss, allowing the team to continue competing. The winning team will have its team name engraved on a perpetual trophy that it can display until next year’s competition.
The 13th Annual Community Spelling Bee: 2024
Our Newspaper Article:
The Delta Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International conducted the 13th Annual Community Spelling Bee on March 18, 2024, at Kitty Hawk Elementary School. This society promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education, and has hosted the Spelling Bee for many years. Delta Zeta members who oversaw the conduction of the Spelling Bee were Katie Blanchard, Shannon Brinkley and Laura Piland, whom all DZ members were thankful for, and gave them an "A" for their achievement.
The winning spelling word was “mutule”: a stone block projecting under a cornice in the Doric order. Now, if you can spell that one correctly, you may be in league with the Spellunkers, who beat out the 22 teams in a friendly, albeit serious competition for the trophy. Emily Ausband, Thad Ausband, Natalie Evans and Jenny Weaver went through a list of many “unspellable” words, and went on to win again, as they had won previously in 2018.
Proceeds from this Spelling Bee go to the Jeannette Gard Memorial Scholarship Fund, earmarked for grants-in-aid to Dare County High School Seniors choosing to major in education, to Delta Zeta members pursuing continuing education and the Dare Education Foundation. In fact, DEF executive director, Barbara Davidson, was given a donation from Delta Zeta at this affair, as well.
The “Spirit Award” was a difficult decision, but ultimately, the Bee Girls and The Bee Girls Backup Spellers (of FFES) won the competition, with their stellar costumes from the 1960s, tie-dyed tablecloths, elementary school word cards (with appropriate ‘60s vocabulary), and even record albums. Their comradery was seen throughout the event, as they were “loud and proud” of their achievement. Not forgotten, was the team “I Put a Spell On You”, which team member, Audrey Rodas said, “(This song) came to me because I love “Hocus Pocus” and spelling. I loved that it was a twist on the word ‘spell’. It wasn’t until after I chose the name that I was told there was a Spirit Award, so I automatically got sizing and added the costumes to my Amazon Cart.” In looking at all the spirited team members in our community, what an event it turned out to “bee”!
Aptly named teams hosted were: Wordilicious, Outer Banks Health, NCRSP Feathered Friends, 4 NonBlondes, The FFES Bee Girls, The Bee Girls Back-up Spellers, Queen Bees, Credit Union AlphaBeetizus, MES Golden GOATS, NHES, Spellunkers, Dare County Library Ladies I and II, FFMS Highway to Spell, Dare Education Foundation, The Birds and the B, Spell on Wheels, I Put a Spell On You, The Spelligrinos, Standing on Buzz-Ness, The Dazzling Charismatic Spellers, and Guardian ad Litem.
Here is the article from 2023:
"The Delta Zeta Chapter, of Dare County, conducted the 12th Annual Community Spelling Bee on March 13, 2023, at Kitty Hawk Elementary School. We were able to present to our locality another marvelous night of comradery and persistence in our lively “Bee.” High marks should be given to our new Bee Mistress, Laura Piland, who did a fantastic job pronouncing the difficult words, and coming up with silly “bee riddles” for the contestants. Additionally, this Spelling Bee couldn’t have been accomplished without the exemplary skills of our Master-Bee-in-Charge, Barbara Hardy. Proceeds went to the Jeannette Gard Memorial Scholarship Fund, earmarked for grants-in-aid to Dare County high school seniors choosing to major in education, to Delta Zeta members pursuing continuing education, and to the Dare Education Foundation. At the same time, our community had an “educational” occasion together!"
We want to thank these organizations for taking part in our program:
the OBX Hospital, Identify Yourself Spellunkers, the (KHUMC) Church Ladies, The Birds and the B, Spellbound, Nags Head Elementary, Kitty Hawk Elementary Hip Bees, NC Retired School Personnel, Dare Education Foundation, Southern Shores Realty Hip-Bees, Food for Thought Apple Bees, Island Bookstore, and SECU Stingers. Over 32 event sponsors were also thanked during the Bee.
"The Delta Zeta Chapter, of Dare County, conducted the 12th Annual Community Spelling Bee on March 13, 2023, at Kitty Hawk Elementary School. We were able to present to our locality another marvelous night of comradery and persistence in our lively “Bee.” High marks should be given to our new Bee Mistress, Laura Piland, who did a fantastic job pronouncing the difficult words, and coming up with silly “bee riddles” for the contestants. Additionally, this Spelling Bee couldn’t have been accomplished without the exemplary skills of our Master-Bee-in-Charge, Barbara Hardy. Proceeds went to the Jeannette Gard Memorial Scholarship Fund, earmarked for grants-in-aid to Dare County high school seniors choosing to major in education, to Delta Zeta members pursuing continuing education, and to the Dare Education Foundation. At the same time, our community had an “educational” occasion together!"
We want to thank these organizations for taking part in our program:
the OBX Hospital, Identify Yourself Spellunkers, the (KHUMC) Church Ladies, The Birds and the B, Spellbound, Nags Head Elementary, Kitty Hawk Elementary Hip Bees, NC Retired School Personnel, Dare Education Foundation, Southern Shores Realty Hip-Bees, Food for Thought Apple Bees, Island Bookstore, and SECU Stingers. Over 32 event sponsors were also thanked during the Bee.