Press release from Buncombe County Schools
Prepare to be spellbound as Buncombe County students from six middle schools face off in a May 16 spelling bee sponsored by Altrusa Foundation of Asheville and co-sponsor Western Carolina University.
Throughout the school year, some 5,000 middle school students have competed within their schools to earn a spot on one of eleven teams that will compete this Thursday evening in the Clyde A. Erwin High School auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.
With a live audience looking on, three principal spellers (with two alternates standing by) will compete for the first-place trophy. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Buncombe County Schools Foundation and Altrusa International of Asheville, which provide scholarships to promising Buncombe County students.
Teams will represent the following middle schools: A.C. Reynolds, Cane Creek, Charles D. Owen, Clyde A. Erwin, Enka, and Valley Springs.
Altrusa Foundation members will serve as judges, moderator, announcer, timekeeper and expediters. Refreshments donated by Altrusans will be available during a program intermission.
Each year since 2003, Altrusa International of Asheville has provided a scholarship to AB Tech to further the education of a young woman who demonstrates a high degree of financial need and academic merit. Chartered in 1979, Altrusa International of Asheville provides community service, leadership development and supportive relationships through professional and personal interaction.
The Buncombe County Schools Foundation works to establish partnerships with local individuals, businesses, corporations, and other foundations for the purpose of supporting education in the Buncombe County School System. The Foundation awards college scholarships on a competitive basis to students at each of the county’s high schools.
Additional event sponsors include A-B Tech; A & R Accounting, Inc.; Biltmore Estate; Jeffrey Roeder, DDS; Mountain Area Health Education Center; Nancy Crosby; Snelling Staffing Services; UNC Asheville; Wells Fargo; and Altrusans Barbara Bell, Cynthia Drew, Elaine Barnes, and Kathy Butler.
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