Strong + Puzzling: 7th Annual Spelling Bee Awards Award $3K in Scholarship Cash
The Rye Free Reading Room hosted its Seventh Annual Spelling Bee on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2024. Library Director Chris Shoemaker welcomed twelve middle and high school students who arrived ready to test their spelling skills and compete for scholarship prizes. Rye patrons and sisters, Cara Giacomo and Adrienne Mecca, served as official word readers for the event.
Participants competed for two scholarship awards sponsored by local supporters: a $2,500 high school scholarship provided by Carpet Trends and a $500 middle school scholarship donated by the Riccio and Mecca families. Next year, the library will be adding a section for 4th and 5th graders to vie for the elementary school title.
This year’s competition saw two first-time contestants take the spotlight. After eight rounds, 8th grader Ben Martin clinched victory for the middle school level by correctly spelling “strong.” Following twelve rounds, 10th grader Peter Wilmot earned the high school title with the winning word “puzzling.”
As champions, Ben and Peter will have their names engraved on the permanent Spelling Bee trophy displayed in the library’s main reading room. Both winners will also receive their individual trophies and scholarship awards at the library’s annual meeting in February 2025.
