Participating members of the Third Annual Spelling Bee. Left to right: Front row – Marjani Smith, Bianca Mills, Chris Moore, Karisma Moore, Mackenzie Webb, Micah Jenkins, Jamil Lloyd, Erykah Howard. Back row – Genessa Jackson, David Stanley (Adult), Kiaree Holloway, Marcus Jenkins, Rhamel Lloyd, Drew Ray (Adult), Gekovie Jackson, Kia Green, Cameron Kempson (Adult).  Photo: Urban News

Three years ago Mr. David Stanley watched the movie “Akeelah and the Bee,” and decided the Shiloh Community Center youth should have a spelling bee.

By Brandon Mays

The purpose behind the spelling bee was to motivate the youth who attended the Shiloh Community Center to read more and study the dictionary with a meaningful purpose. He envisioned the youth increasing their vocabulary and putting a greater effort into their school work. Mr. Stanley presented this idea to the center director, Mr. Bryan Fish, and they started a committee to organize the first spelling bee event. 

The first year there was an overwhelming response, and John Lee from WLOS-TV made an appearance to record the spelling bee event. With that success, the committee decided to hold the event the following year. With the new year came more youth interested in the spelling bee, and there were more volunteers willing to serve in any capacity necessary to help the kids. The second year was also a success so the committee decided to hold the event one more time.

The turnout in 2009 was not as big as in previous years, but it was clear that the participants put in more time preparing for this year’s event than in past years. The committee is working on other events including different disciplines: mathmatics and possibly a writing competition. The future seems promising for the youth of the Linwood Crump/Shiloh Recreation Complex to showcase what they are learning in school.

The Asheville community challenge is to have participants from ALL the area community centers particpate with a city-wide spelling bee event, with more volunteers and sponsors. Any individual, organization, or business interested in helping with the “Spelling Bee Challenge” should contact Bryan Fish or Brandon Mays at the Shiloh Community Center.