News from Reaching Heights
Contact: Susie Kaeser, 932-5110
rh@reachingheights.org

16th Annual Community Spelling Bee A Sweet Competition to Benefit Achievement Grants

The public is invited to enjoy 72 serious and light hearted spellers as they tackle difficult words for a good cause at the 16th annual, Reaching Heights Adult Community Spelling Bee scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 24 at Cleveland Heights High School. Admission to the cheering section is free.

Each three-person spelling team pays $500 for the opportunity to compete! Fees and proceeds from word sponsors and a raffle are used to support grants to school-based teams in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools to implement innovative projects to bolster student achievement. Reaching Heights, a support organization for the public schools, has awarded more than 200 grants thanks to this annual benefit.

Federal District Court Judge Solomon Oliver will serve as the chief judge to ensure a fair competition. He will be joined by Cedar Lee merchant Joel Borwick and Christie Borkan, a public school activist and former speller.

Tony Zupancic, assistant professor of English, Communications and Theater at Notre Dame College and Rev. Louise Westfall of Fairmount Presbyterian Church will serve up the words. Coventry merchant Steve Presser will serve as master of ceremonies and technology specialist Steve Titchenal will help the audience monitor the spelling.

The Cleveland Orchestra team will defend its title and the chance to hold on to the bee trophy for another year. Four law firms will be in the line up that also includes eight PTA-sponsored teams and competitors from Case, Notre Dame College and John Carroll. The Heights Library, Board of Education, Commission on Aging, the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union, Forest Hill and St. Paul’s churches, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Heights alumni, and Cleveland Heights council member Nancy Dietrich’s “Perennials” team will help make this true community event.

Reaching Heights is an 18 year old support organization for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District and a resource for student success.