When people develop a deep interest in a subject or topic, it is said that they have been "bitten by the bug." In the spelling world, we prefer to say that they have been "stung by the bee."
That's exactly what happened in Oakland, Michigan. Joe Hildebrand, Promotions Manager for The Oakland Press, reports that the community has embraced the local spelling bee since the newspaper took over sponsorship in 1996.
"It's important to the community that The Oakland Press sponsors
the spelling bee," Hildebrand said. "It's one of the only events that
the newspaper sponsors that is truly our event."
As they prepare to sponsor the local spelling bee for the 20th time, The
Oakland Press sets itself apart from other sponsors by borrowing a
unique tradition from the world of hockey.
"Like the Stanley Cup, we have a traveling spelling bee trophy that goes
to the school of the winning speller," said Hildebrand. "I pick up
the trophy prior to the regional bee, add the new champion's name and school,
and then deliver it to the new school where it will stay until the next
regional bee."
That's not to say the trophy always changes schools every year. In 2001, Tim
Sweda won The Oakland Press spelling bee to advance to
Washington, D.C. His sister, Jennie, had so much fun watching her brother
compete that she dedicated herself to spelling and earned her own trip to D.C.
in 2002.
"Jennie even showed up in 2003 to meet up with some friends she met the
prior two years and surprised me at one of the social events," said
Hildebrand.
It sure sounds like Jennie - and the entire Oakland community - has
been "stung by the Bee."