THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - It won't be broadcast on ESPN, but an annual spelling bee is returning to south Georgia.
And the competitors will not be children.
The annual Books For Bucks Adult Spelling Bee raises money for child literacy and adult education.
The Thomas County Certified Literate Community Program sponsors the spelling bee each year. "We are a bunch of volunteers who get together and want to raise help the literacy rate. Help children read. Help adults get their GED," said Nancy Tillinghast.
President of Southwest Georgia Technical College Dr. Craig Wentworth is looking forward to judging for the second time. "You often see competitors who know the word, but sometimes get up there a little nervous and than end up misspelling a word that you know they really know so it's kind of entertaining."
Wentworth says although the competition is for fun, the words will not be easy. "I can readily admit that in the later rounds there are some words that even as a judge I'm like I haven't heard of that word what is that."
Adult Education teacher Mary Lou Vonier was on last year's winning team. "Knowing that there are groups out there that know about the value of an education for students who don't have a GED or high school diploma and they're willing to fit the bill for it, hey our community wins every time for it," said Vonier.
Vonier says her team will be very confident while on stage. "Oh we're gunna win again. No doubt. Done deed."
The money raised from the bee is used to provide books for underprivileged children, free dictionaries to third grade students, and to help fund the GED Scholarship Project.
The fierce competition will be held Monday at 6:30pm at the old Central Middle School Auditorium.
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Nancy Tillinghast
Dr. Craig Wentworth
Mary Lou Vonier
