P-R-O-L-I-F-E-R-A-T-E.
That was the winning word, uttered from the victorious lips of city clerk Tessa Jo Mascareñas at the Española YMCA Teen Center’s inaugural Adult Spelling Bee and fundraiser, Bee An Example, held Nov. 3 at Española Elementary.
“The spelling Bee was a fun event that benefits our youth financially and hopefully sets an example regarding involvement in the community,” Mascareñas said. “I look forward to next year’s event.”
According to the Bee rules, participants were given a list of 150 words that would be used during the contest. In the event all the words were used, Teen Center Director Ben Sandoval would utilize a secret emergency list of words, printed on a piece of flashy red paper, that only Sandoval had seen. It would come down to a true test of spelling prowess.
Having expended all of the words during the final rounds, Sandoval had to resort to the emergency list to determine the spelling champion. Sandoval said he was pleased with the results.
“I feel that the spelling Bee was a great success,” Sandoval said. “I also believe that there was some pride for the community shown amongst the contestants. We have received awesome reviews for the event, the flow was smooth, the judges were serious and engaged throughout the entire event.”
Headlining the list of participants were city Councilor Elaine Herrera and Mascareñas. Other notable contestants included Chimayo Elementary School Principal Ray Griffin and Assistant County Manager David Trujillo.
Mayor Alice Lucero was set to serve as judge but was unable to attend so Councilman Pedro Valdez filled in. Rio Arriba youth services partnership coordinator Jack Ortega and Española Elementary Principal Danny Trujillo also judged the competition.
Some of the participants who said they would attend were also unable to make it so spots were still open as the contest start time ticked closer. Sandoval asked the audience if any members would like to compete in the Bee. Those from the public brave enough to test their skills stepped forward, including a father and son, Dr. Kamel Abouda and Malik Abouda, 9. Kamel Abouda made it through 12 rounds; however, Malik was disqualified in the first round.
Sandoval said the Teen Center met its goal for the Bee of raising community awareness about the importance of education and adults playing active roles in the educational lives of their children and the community in general.
“Our emphasis (was) to promote education amongst our youth and for our leaders to rise to the occasion when it comes to mentoring and being strong community leaders,” Sandoval said. “We believe that we accomplished that objective by organizing this spelling bee.”
The event raised $640 which will be split between the Teen Center and Templo Sion Remnant Youth Ministries, Sandoval said. Each of the 30 participants, whether they actually competed or not, had contributed a $20 registration fee to sign up for the Bee.
As spelling champion, Mascareñas won a package featuring dinner for two and a one-night stay for two at Abiquiu Inn. Cindy Comly placed second and Christy Vigil earned third place; both Comly and Vigil won a complimentary dinner for two at Abiquiu Inn.
Approximately 50 community members attended the Bee, although Sandoval said he wished more would have attended.
“I feel that we should have worked harder at promoting the event within the community, but we will do a better job of that next year,” he said. “There will definitely be another Bee next year. We have already discussed the logistics and have begun the planning for the event next year.”