Three Wellesley Middle School teachers won their first victory after 20 years of competing in the Wellesley Education Fund’s annual spelling bee Wednesday night, correctly spelling “ailurophile” to defeat 38 other teams.
The Spell-tics – two middle school teachers and one retiree – studied for hours at Starbucks to prepare for the 36th annual competition, according to Kari Sciera, a member of the winning team.
“We’ve come 20 years in a row,” she said, “and this is the first time we’ve won.” The winning word, “ailurophile,” is a noun used to identify a cat lover.
The champions entered the competition with extra motivation: Their own students beat them last year. The Spell-tics eliminated the reigning champions, eighth graders, in Round 4.
Dozens of grinning and giggling Wellesley residents packed the Wellesley High School cafeteria for the good-natured fundraiser, which attracted participants ranging from middle school students to firefighters and tennis coaches. In all, 39 teams competed.
Beyond spelling prowess, teams competed for costume awards. The WPS Secretaries won first place for best costume, Wellesley Cotillion took second and the Spell-tics placed third in Boston Celtics uniforms. Other contestants wore Dunkin onesies, tutus and a blow-up bumblebee costume.
“It’s our biggest event of the year and we love how it brings the whole community together,” said Tizzy Chamberlain, co-president of the Wellesley Education Fund.
Gregg Myles Levin, Treasurer for WEF, said the group typically funds around $250,000 in annual grants for Wellesley educators, including projects such as an Anatomage Table, guitars for Wellesley High School, cell phone pouches for Wellesley Middle School, and library furnishings.
The spelling bee’s sponsors included Needham Bank, Babson College, Wellesley College, and Schumacher Companies Landscape Artisans.
This story was produced in partnership with the Boston University Department of Journalism.
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