First Literacy Raises $265,000 To Support Adult Literacy

2024 Spelling Bee Winning Team. From left to right Lee Haller, Jennifer Valdez, and Terance Cheung.

On Thursday, April 11, sixteen teams battled it out at the State Street Channel Center, 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 “isothermal” and “chimerical”. The teams from Morgan Stanley, KPMG, Community Advisory Council for Crimson Lion Foundation, UBS, Putnam Investments, and Deloitte competed in the championship round where Community Advisory Council for Crimson Lion Foundation came out on top spelling the word “diphthong” correctly.

“We were thrilled to welcome such a large audience! The First Literacy Spelling Bee is our biggest fundraising event of the year, filled with excitement and fun,” said Terry Witherell, First Literacy’s Executive Director. “Most importantly, the Bee enables us to support adult learners throughout Massachusetts. By investing in adult literacy, we empower individuals with the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges, secure better job opportunities, and contribute more fully to their communities.”

Champion Award recipient, Kevin McGovern, pictured on the left with First Literacy Board Member, Jeff Beale.

Kevin McGovern, Deloitte LLP’s New England Managing Partner and a longtime supporter of First Literacy, received the First Literacy Champion Award during this year’s event. The First Literacy Champion Award honors a long-time supporter of First Literacy’s work to help adult learners in Massachusetts improve literacy skills so they can succeed in every aspect of their lives.

Kevin has made a huge impact through his support of First Literacy, serving on the Spelling Bee Host Committee for the past six years and creating the Deloitte Mini Spelling Bee as a fun way for Deloitte employees to learn about First Literacy’s work and determine who will represent Deloitte at the First Literacy Spelling Bee.

While accepting the award, Kevin spoke about why the First Literacy Spelling Bee holds importance to him. “Our commitment to this bee allows people not only the chance to have fun, but to understand how important it is that we contribute to our community, and we actually do something to move First Literacy’s mission forward.”

Adult literacy is often overlooked; according to the Massachusetts State Assessment of Adult Literacy, 32% of adults are at basic or below basic skill levels for searching, comprehending, and using information from newspapers and instructional materials. The funds raised from the First Literacy Spelling Bee help support adults struggling with low literacy throughout Massachusetts.

First Literacy’s free professional development workshops for teachers, grants for innovative new programs, and scholarships for adults continuing to higher education or vocational training help ensure that adult learners receive the support and resources they need to reach their full potential.

First Literacy Scholar 2021 & 2022, Thays Lobo.

First Literacy scholar Thays Lobo also shared her story during the event. Thays faced many adversities in her upbringing in Brazil but found hope in the strong women who raised her. With a passion for social work, Thays always felt a strong purpose to help others. A First Literacy scholarship made it possible for Thays to improve her English and further her education when she came to the United States.

“Receiving the First Literacy scholarship was a huge part of my journey. It allowed me to believe in myself and my dreams. I hope the First Literacy team and sponsors wake up every day knowing you made a huge impact in my life, and many other lives.” Thays said.

After working as an Economic Integration Manager for a year with three full-time employees under her belt, Thays is now managing a pilot program at English for New Bostonians, to offer ESL classes for new migrants and residents in sixteen shelters across the state.

Sponsors of the First Literacy 34th Spelling Bee included State Street, Morgan Stanley, BNY Mellon, Franklin Templeton, Citi, SS&C, J.P. Morgan, Newmark, American Moving & Installation, Anonymous, Brookline Bank, Cabot, Cengage, Chris Walsh, Colliers, Corient, Crimson Lion Foundation, Deloitte, Equiniti, Fahey Family Charitable Fund, First Literacy Associate Board, FIS, Jeffrey Beale, John Hancock, K&L Gates, KPMG, Tim Vigue, Liberty Mutual, MFS, Mintz, Morrow Sodali Fund, Point32Health, PwC, Michael Woodall, Putnam Investments, Robert Half, Seyfarth Shaw, UBS, and Visnick and Caulfield.

Photo Credit: Gregory Ciccarelli