EVENTS

Spelling Bee

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Test your spelling skills while supporting adult literacy!

Thank you to everyone who attended the First Literacy 36th Annual Spelling Bee. This year 20 teams battled it out spelling words that stumped even the savviest spellers. In the end, the team from Akamai Technologies (Denis Moskowitz, Emily Baum, Vika Zafrin) came out on top and were crowned the winners of the 36th Annual Spelling Bee.

Thanks to your support the 36th Annual Spelling Bee raised $265,000! Team Morgan Stanley won the crowdfunding competition, raising the most money as a team. Proceeds from the event support First Literacy’s work including: free professional development workshops for adult educators, scholarships for adult students attending college or vocational programs, and grants for innovative Adult Basic Education pilot programs.

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Photo credit: Gregory Ciccarelli

Thank You to Our Host Committee

Thank You to Our Bee Committee

Karime Abdel-Hay | Co-Chair
Corey Groves | Co-Chair
Jeffrey Beale
Lindsay Bishop
Lawrence L. Fahey
Nilan Jayasinghe
Jenna Kline

Check out the video below to view the first round of pre-recorded play from the 2026 Spelling Bee. The teams who did not advance to the finals participated in the lightning round during the in person event for a chance to take the wildcard spots in the championship round.