by Cos Barnes/Special to OutreachNC

What a pleasure it was for us to represent Outreach NC in the seventh annual spelling bee sponsored by the Moore County Literacy Council.

As the Miss Spellers Beauty Pageant Finalists, Melanie (Miss Communication) Coughlin, Jennifer (Miss Informed) George, and I as Miss Print competed with 66 others. Although we let a little five-letter word throw us – dolor which we spelled with an er, and for all of those who do not know, it means mechancholy, grief or sorrow – which we all experienced after we goofed.

Dressed in our finest formal attire, complete with tiaras, we entered the spotlight to the strains of  Patrick Coughlin’s vocal of “There she is, Miss America.” With tongue in cheek, each voiced her platform. We were presented with bouquets of red roses by our adoring fans. As the competition continued, we donned t-shirts which sported painted renditions of the bods we would like to have. As our final number we strummed our musical instruments.

Most impressive of the whole evening was the skill and friendliness of the volunteers. When we drove up, Jonathan Brower helped us gather our gear, then asked, “May I park your car for you?” Nita Brunner brought us water, and she was perfect in the leading in and out of each spelling group.

Susan Sherard, executive director of MCLC, was magnificent as the Queen Bee, who lit up the auditorium. David Woronoff, publisher of The Pilot, was master of ceremonies,. Bob Howell was master of pronunciation. The winners were the Sandhills Children’s Center. Best costume award went to Stifel Nicolaus as B-52s, and Best Buzz went to Jazzercise. Last year’s winners, the Professional Women’s Network won the Keep the Hive Alive award.

The Spelling Bee is fun. Everyone seems to get into the spirit of the event. The Literacy Council is to be praised for providing free tutoring for adults who seek to improve their lives – and our communities – by improving their literacy and life skills.

Next year, we’ll get ‘em.