When executives at the BMO Harris Banks in Yavapai County chose a philanthropic project to support, they were adamant that it should cross all cultural, racial and social parameters – and ultimately, be community focused.
It was a pure business decision, one they do not regret, says Vice President Robert St. Clair of the BMO Harris Bank in Prescott Valley.
“A core belief in our system – we hope all levels within our service communities will benefit from our contribution,” he said.
The project they picked?
The highly popular, quite visible Yavapai County Spelling Bee, sponsored every February. This past month, students competed in grades one through eight from 37 public, private and charter schools as well as some home-schooled youngsters from throughout the county. They faced off Feb. 24 at the Camp Verde Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts.
Because of the generous sponsorship of BMO Harris Banks, each competitor received several prizes, including “Spelling Bee” t-shirts, a two-inch embossed medallion on red, white and blue ribbon; and for top winners, handsome wood plaques (winners were not announced at the time of publication). They also enjoyed a free lunch, said Yavapai County Spelling Bee Coordinator Jenn Nelson.
“All this was possible because of a very generous – really substantial – contribution from BMO Harris,” Nelson said. “The bank has been supporting this event for more than 10 years. Students, parents and schools really appreciate it.”
St. Clair said the bank believes in backing the communities and patrons it serves. “The BMO promise to customers – ‘We’re Here to Help’ – applies equally to communities. We work hard to improve peoples’ lives and want to support organizations like the Spelling Bee that do the same. We have a commitment to our education partners in Yavapai County.”
Nelson pointed out that in addition to BMO Harris, several other community and county businesses gave the students prizes, coupons and trinkets. Among those giving were Taco Bell, Freedom Station, Fastenal, Raskins Jewelers, Home Depot and Applebee’s.
Nelson also said school districts pay the $152.50 per person fee to register each student for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. However, that fee can be reimbursed through Forest Fee Management Association, which sets aside money to assist with such fees.
71st Annual Spelling Bee
Elementary students from Yavapai County have been competing in the time-honored spelling bees since the end of World War II in 1945. County winners compete at the state and then national levels.
“It’s hard to believe that our students from Yavapai County ultimately end up among the more than 11 million spelling bee contestants annually,” County Superintendent of Education Tim Carter said. “The competition is now international in flavor, too, with students from not just the U.S. but also Canada, Mexico, China, the Bahamas, New Zealand and other countries.”
One of the judges for the county spelling bee was Tara O’Neill, a Yavapai College professor. She says spelling bees are rooted generations deep in American history. “It’s gratifying to keep an age-old tradition that gives gifted spellers a chance to shine. It’s also a chance to embrace all our children’s academic talents.”
Another judge was Karen Otis, administrative and community event coordinator for Drake Cement, Paulsen. “I was delighted to see that these students had to use their thinking skills and memory to respond, and not just use some hand-held electronic device. We can all be proud of these youngsters.”
Otis noted that rules and procedures for spelling bees are consistent and uniform, no matter the county or state in which they are staged.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee was founded in 1925 by nine newspapers. In the 92 years since, it has become the nation’s longest-running educational promotion operating on a non-profit basis.
Winners from the various Arizona county spelling bees will meet March 25 at Arizona PBS-TV studio on the ASU campus in downtown Phoenix for the state contest. The winner from that contest will go to the National Spelling Bee, June 1, in Washington, D.C.
The Championship Finals are broadcast on cable television ESPN. QCBN
Story and photos by Ray Newton
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