SUN Staff Report
Española residents will have the opportunity to see how well their community leaders can spell in November. The Family YMCA Española Teen Center will hold an adult spelling bee Nov. 3 in the Española Elementary gymnasium from 4 to 7 p.m.
Event organizer Ben Sandoval said the main purpose of this event is to support and promote education among Española’s youth, and for the leaders of the community to show themselves to be role models.
“Often times we tell our kids what to do, we tell our kids how to do it, but we never show them we’re capable of doing what we’re teaching,” Sandoval said.
The first place winner will receive a plaque, dinner for two and one free night at the Abiquiú Inn. Second and third place winners will receive a plaque and dinner for two at the Abiquiú Inn. Young people who come as spectators will also receive coupons for hamburgers at the Abiquiú Inn.
While Sandoval said there is room for 30 contestants, there are 19 participating as of Monday. These include Superintendent Art Blea, County Health and Human Services Director Lauren Reichelt, Assistant County Manager David Trujillo, and city councilors Elena Herrera, Peggy Sue Martinez, and Dennis Salazar. Mayor Alice Lucero and Española Elementary Principal Daniel Trujillo will be judging the event and Sandoval said he is still seeking more contestants.
Participants receive a list of 150 words to study in the weeks leading up to the spelling bee.
Proceeds from the event will be split evenly between the YMCA and Remnant Youth Ministries, the co-sponsor of the event. Sandoval said that the YMCA’s share will go toward educational software for the YMCA teen center.