SHELBURNE FALLS — “Muliebrity” is a noun defined as “womanly qualities” or “womanhood.” It is also the winning word of last year’s Mary Lyon Foundation spelling bee.
The annual event, now in its 14th year, will return with equally challenging words on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Mohawk Trail Regional School’s auditorium.
“It is quite the event,” said Sue Samoriski, a co-executive director of the Mary Lyon Foundation. She added that this festive event is vastly different than haunting memories of grade school spelling bees.
“We have 30 teams of three adults,” Samoriski said, adding that six teams compete against each other per round.
There will be six rounds in total. Adult teams will compete against each other in the first four rounds. In the fifth round, high school teams will compete against each other. Four Mohawk Trail teams — representing the school’s music students, National Honor Society, Student Council and Key Club — will vie against and two Academy of Charlemont teams.
Winning teams from the first five rounds will face off in the final “Grand Champions” round, Samoriski said.
The event, which draws in 200 to 300 people annually, is the product of a large volunteer effort.
“It’s a real team effort. So many people come together to volunteer to provide a very entertaining, hilariously funny event for the whole community,” Samoriski said. “The best part of the event is that all segments of the community participate, from students to seniors, churches, civic organizations, nonprofits, (and) public and private schools.”
Last year, the spelling bee raised over $8,000, which the Mary Lyon Foundation awarded in mini-grants to local teachers after a competitive grant process, Samoriski said. For the spelling bee enthusiasts who come to witness the spectacle, the event turns a fundraiser for education into an educational fundraiser.
“People sit in the (auditorium) with a paper and pencil and try to spell (the word),” she said. After 30 seconds, both audience members and teams “find out if they’re right or not,” she added.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with music by Mohawk Trail students as the silent auction and raffle begin.
“We have maybe a dozen high-end items” for the silent auction, Samoriski said, including ski passes for two from Berkshire East, indoor go-carting, a platter from Ashfield Stone and a planet from glass artist Josh Simpson.
Over 35 raffle “packages” will feature grouped items, Samoriski said, like one “active” package grouping golf and rock-climbing passes.
“Probably over 150 items have been donated,” she said, adding that raffle tickets are six for $5 or 25 for $15.
At 6:30 p.m., the lights will flicker and a procession of the judges led by “the Merry Lion” — this year, costumed Mohawk Trail senior Regan DuPree — will start the spelling bee.
Art Schwenger, of Heath, is the Spell Master, meaning he will state each word, use it in a sentence and repeat the word, Samoriski said. Master of Ceremonies Jill Connolly, of Shelburne Falls, will also repeat the word for teams to hear.
This year’s judges are: Shelburne Town Clerk Joe Judd; state Rep. Natalie Blais; Franklin County Sheriff Chris Donelan; Greenfield Recorder Editor-in-Chief Joan Livingston; WHAI disc jockey and Greenfield Recorder columnist Chris Collins; and Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School Assistant Principal Hayley Gilmore.
The first three rounds will be followed by an intermission, where sweet refreshments, like doughnuts and baked goods, will be served. Spelling bee enthusiasts are encouraged to register to be eligible for a door prize, which will be “a very large gift basket,” Samoriski said.
With all of the festivity and large community turnout, Samoriski said the spelling bee is truly special.
“It’s not a fundraiser, it’s a friend-raiser,” she said.
Reach Maureen O’Reilly at moreilly@recorder.com or at 413-772-0261, ext. 280.