Greeley Hosts Buzzing Spelling Bee In Chappaqua

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. -- Costumed contestants performed before a large crowd Monday in Horace Greeley High School's Fifth Annual Spelling Bee.

The girls of "Bee 10acious" react to news of their victory.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Left to right: "Bee 10acious" teammates Kaylie Eiden, Meaghan Townsend and Stephie Shen.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

The members of "IncrEDIBLES" at the 5th Annual Spelling Bee at Horace Greeley High School.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

A large crowd turns out for the 5th Annual Spelling Bee at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

The teammates of "You Can't Beat The Heat" at Horace Greeley High School's spelling bee.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

The members of "Save the Penguins" give their try for "irrevocable."
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Members of middle school team "Killer Bees" compete in flashy attire.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Chappaqua Schools Superintendent Lyn McKay (center) with Assistant Superintendents Andrew Selesnick (left) and Eric Bryne (right) at the spelling bee.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

A sad face is presented on behalf of "The Red Hot Chilli Spellers."
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Members of "TB(ee)D" compete in unicorn costumes.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

The boys of "Spelling Beasts" compete while wearing masks.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Horace Greeley High School held its 5th Annual Spelling Bee on Monday, Nov. 10.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

The members of "TB(ee)D" correctly spell "Chappaqua."
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Teammates sit at their tables for a Greeley Spelling Bee round.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Members of Greeley student musical group The Enchords give a performance at the spelling bee.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Costumed bees were out and about at Horace Greeley High School's spelling bee.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Tom Auchterlonie

11/13/2014 4:00 p.m.

Contestants were divided into rounds by age, which included high schoolers, middle schoolers and adults. The winners of each round then vied for the title.

This year's winners are the girls of "Bee 10acious," a trio consisting of Greeley sophomores Meaghan Townsend, Stephie Shen and Kaylie Eiden. The students won following a sudden-death face off.

Spellers had to take on several seldom used words, including cytherean and quokka. During the middle school round, kids got to try a local word: Chappaqua.

The bee included prizes, a performance by student music group The Enchords and two costumed "bees."

The event was supported by a Greeley student club called SHARE - Students Have a Responsibility Everywhere - and included several local businesses as sponsors.

Eleanor Sadik-Khan, a senior with SHARE, said the event is a fundraiser for the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, which supports students unable to afford college.

Fellow senior and SHARE member Emily Nagler said they raised more than $10,000, which does not included any proceeds from the night itself.

SHARE members involved with the bee were pleased with how it went.

“I think it went great,” Sadik-Khan said. She said there were a lot of teams and great spellers.

“I think it went really well," Nagler said. "I think it was a lot of fun and we definitely raised a lot of money.”

For sophomore and SHARE member Ellie Loigman, this year's bee was the first in which she was involved as an executive, which included planning. She described her experience as “a lot of fun.”

“It was really rewarding, too," Loigman added.

A photo gallery of the bee is attached to this story.

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