The team who wins this year’s Newspapers in Education Executive Spelling Bee scheduled to begin to begin at 6 p.m. May 19 at Grace United Methodist Church will win a stay for two at the Windsor Hotel in Americus.

Three-person teams can enter the competition representing any organization including businesses, civic clubs, church groups or just individuals who form a team can compete. The entry fee is $125 per team and teams can buy passes which can be used to stay in the bee if a word is missed. Passes are $25 each.

All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Newspapers in Education (NIE) program, which places newspapers in Tift, Turner and Ben Hill county classrooms. Educators use the newspapers to teach everything from current events, English, math and other subjects.

Businesses can also sponsor the bee without having a team enter the competition if they wish.

“The NIE program is a non-profit arm of the newspaper and a lot of students will benefit from the event, so everybody wins,” said Rachel Wainwright, the Tifton Gazette’s circulation director. “It’s fun, but we have some serious spellers in Tifton that take this very seriously.”

Members of each team that participates will receive a T-shirt and prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Also, door prizes will be given away as well.

Last year, six teams participated. Wainwright said any teams interested in participating can call her or Mendy Dillard at 229-382-4321.

Wainwright thanked Grace United Methodist Church for the use of its facility.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.