When you talk about local spelling bee sponsors, it's hard to find one with more tradition than The Florida Times-Union. The Jacksonville-based newspaper has sponsored a local bee for more than 70 years, with two dedicated employees involved in some capacity since 1967.
Carolyn Gentry and Sandy Spencer are event coordinators for The Florida Times-Union spelling bee, and they certainly have seen a lot in their 47 years.
"As part of the community relations team [for the newspaper], Sandy and/or I have been involved with the spelling bee since 1967," Gentry said. "Following our retirements in 2007, Sandy and I contract withThe Florida Times-Union to produce the regional spelling bee championship plus other community events."
That kind of continuity is helpful when you consider The Florida Times-Union program has hundreds of schools participate every year. One week before the championship, the paper runs a full-page ad listing every school and county winner. On the day of the final local bee, the paper runs all the county champions' photos (pictured, right).
Through it all, The Florida Times-Union is still seeking their first national champion, although they had some close calls in recent years when Grace Remmer had top-10 finishes in 2010 and 2013. Champion or not, the newspaper is proud of its strong tradition.
"The Florida Times-Union is proud to carry on its tradition of sponsoring the regional spelling bee for 70 years with the expectation that students will improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies and become better readers," Gentry said.