From left to right: Monica Touesnard, Miriam Nussbaum, Suzanne Nussbaum, Jane Jones, Ralph Jones, Steven Manley, Mark Chao
On March 3rd​Annual Spelling Bee IPEI celebrated its 21st annual Adult Spelling Bee at the Ithaca High School Wellness Center Gym.  A crowd of 250 spectators joined the fun as the ​IthacaSTEM Hexaplexes​, sponsored by Westhill Graphics, the designer of this year’s​ Bee program​, won the competition by correctly spelling tintinnabulation, pizzicato and anodyne, among other challenging words. The winning team included Mark Chao, Suzanne Nussbaum and Miriam Nussbaum.

IPEI Executive Director Steven Manley shared, "The generosity of the Ithaca community and its support for education for all our students is made visible through IPEI's grants supporting arts, science, math and cultural learning in every school, and every classroom. We're so proud to be a resource for our innovative teachers." "The IPEI spelling Bee is a highlight of our year and a great way for families, local business and organizations to come together and have fun while showing support for local education."

The event featured 30 teams of spellers competing for the illustrious Fuzzy Bee Trophy, alongside a silent auction featuring more than 40 items donated by local businesses and vendors. McCormick’s at Moakley House, a dining facility recently renovated by Cornell Catering and a sponsor of the Bee, provided decorations along with plentiful finger foods including a make your own nachos bar. Teams represented 9 or 12 Ithaca City Schools and the ICSD administration, as well as local medical, legal, real estate and financial institutions.

Sponsored this year by an anonymous donor, Cornell University's Office of Community Relations, McCormick's at Moakley House and Tompkins Trust Company, the event raised approximately $25,000 in funding for IPEI’s grants programs. Media partners for the Bee included Cayuga Radio Group, WSKG and Vizella Media.

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