First Literacy Spelling Bee Raises $265,000 To Support Adult Literacy
The team from Akamai Technologies (Denis Moskowitz, Emily Baum, Vika Zafrin) came out on top and was crowned the 2026 Spelling Bee Champion.
BOSTON, MA – On Thursday, March 26, twenty-three teams battled it out in the First Literacy Spelling Bee at J.P. Morgan, spelling words that stumped even the savviest spellers.
Families, community groups, and corporate teams put their spelling skills to the test in support of adult literacy. Teams were tasked with spelling words such as “couture” and “meringue”.
Former WBZ news anchor Josh Binswanger returned for his 16th year as emcee, delighting the audience with humor and high energy while keeping spellers on their toes.
The competition was close, with Communities United playing with sponsorship from Peabody Essex Museum and Akamai Technologies going head-to-head in the final round. In the end, the team from Akamai Technologies emerged as the winner, correctly spelling “qubit” and taking home the coveted Spelling Bee trophy. The event drew more than 160 attendees and featured plenty of laughter, impressive spelling, and community spirit. One of the toughest words of the night— schadenfreude—challenged even the most seasoned spellers.
Executive Director Terry Witherell started the evening off by sharing how rewarding it was to “have an impact on so many adult learners.” Throughout the event, she emphasized how important and special the event was for First Literacy, repeatedly thanking the attendees for showing their support.
While the spelling brought plenty of fun, the evening was also inspiring, featuring powerful remarks from three speakers: First Literacy scholar Christele St. Jules, workshop participant Janet Saied, and grant recipient Tammy McDonald.
Christele came to the U.S. to escape the dangers and stress disrupting her life in Haiti. The short visit turned permanent when she realized it was unsafe to return to Haiti. Thanks to a First Literacy Scholarship, Christele is now studying Integrated Media Design at Bunker Hill Community College. Her goal is to work as a marketing manager.
“Education is a pathway to opportunity, independence, and growth,” said St. Jules in her speech. She also remarked that First Literacy was “more than a scholarship program: it was a family.”
Janet Saied, a First Literacy workshop attendee, also said a few words. Janet is the Program Director at Project Literacy at the Watertown Public Library and has attended multiple professional development workshops over the years.
Saied spoke about the “opportunity, dignity, and belonging” that First Literacy provides to students. By attending First Literacy’s workshops designed for professionals and educators, Saied was able to help people “build careers instead of just getting by.”
Tammy McDonald, Adult Basic Education Director at Blue Hills Education, shared how a First Literacy grant allowed them to pilot a Digital Literacy program that is creating opportunities and transforming the lives of adult learners.
“For many of our students, technology is unfamiliar and intimidating,” said McDonald.
That fear of technology was replaced with confidence with the help of the Digital Literacy program funded with a grant from First Literacy.
The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported that the number of adults in the U.S. who rank at the lowest levels of literacy has risen since 2017, from 19% to 28%.The funds raised from the First Literacy Spelling Bee help support adults struggling with low literacy throughout Massachusetts.
In total, the event raised $265,000 to support First Literacy’s year-round work, including:
- Free professional development workshops for adult educators
- Scholarships for adult learners pursuing college or vocational programs
- Grants for innovative Adult Basic Education (ABE) pilot programs across the Commonwealth
Sponsors of the First Literacy 36th Spelling Bee included Akamai Technologies, Beacon Bank, BNY, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Jeffrey Beale, Cabot Corporation, Corient, Crimson Lion Foundation, Deloitte, Equiniti, Fahey Family Charitable Fund, Fidelity, First Literacy Associate Board, Franklin Templeton, Howell Family Foundation, In Honor of Karen Morrissey, JetBlue Airways Corporation, J.P. Morgan, Manulife/John Hancock, McDermott Will & Schulte LLP, Michael Woodall, K&L Gates, Lee Kenyon, KPMG, MFS, Morgan Stanley, Newmark Group, PwC, Seyfarth Shaw, SS&C, State Street, Truist, UBS, and William Blair.
Video Credit: Act3 Creative
Photo Credit: Gregory Ciccarelli