Rotarian tops Examiner reporter for spelling bee bragging rights
Mary Anne Greco defeated media representatives, including Joelle Kovach
To promote the upcoming 10th annual Rotary Spelling Bee for local students, organizers pitted local media representatives and Rotarians against each other on Monday for an adult version.
Each participant was given a word to spell, as an example of the challenge young people will be faced with during the Spelling Bee on May 4 at the Whetung Theatre at Fleming College.
Participants in the adult bee Monday were given the same list of words to study as the school kids. A number of participants expressed some trepidation, but were eager to give it a shot.
In the end, Rotarian Mary Anne Greco came out on top, edging Peterborough Examiner’s Joelle Kovach, who was the last media participant left standing.
“It was down to me and Mary Anne. I messed up when I heard ‘pixelated’ when the word was ‘pixelate’,” said Kovach with a laugh. “You gotta listen.”
As for the kids version, Spelling Bee Committee Chair Catherine Hanrahan said the excitement among students is building.
“We’re hearing from teachers at participating schools that kids are very determined to make it to regional bee and they are focusing intently on studying their practice words,” added Hanrahan, in a prepared release.
More than 4,000 children in Grades 4 to 8 across the region have been participating in minischool bees of which approximately 120 will qualify for the main event which will be broadcast on YourTV.
Hanrahan said the top three spellers in each division will win some big prizes.
“We’ve had a number of local businesses come forward with some really generous prizes like a week at Camp Kawartha or a week at Trent Excalibur Camp, a party at Zap Attack, and lessons at the Art School of Peterborough. We also have two bicycles generously donated by Canadian Tire on Lansdowne and Realtor Rebecca Quinn from Century 21 United Realty,” said Hanrahan.
Every participant will also receive a grab bag with some fun items like Family Swim Passes for the YMCA, train passes for Riverview Park and Zoo, free games from Zap Attack, some fun handmade toys from Leslie Covert and silly putty from Crayola.
“The schools of winning students will also be eligible for bursaries from the Rotary Club of Peterborough for literacy projects,” added Hanrahan.
The Rotary Club of Peterborough was established in 1921 and currently has more than 70 members.
Over its proud history, the club has supported many local and international activities and events, from its early sponsorship of Five Counties Children’s Centre, The Rotary Spelling Bee and The Prince of Wales School Breakfast Programs to worldwide efforts in polio eradication, clean water, world peace and literacy.
The Rotary Club of Peterborough, which usually meets for lunch two Mondays per month, is one of four clubs in the immediate area and one of more than 46,000 clubs, with 1.4 million members around the world.
The club celebrated its 100th anniversary on April 1, 2021.