The ‘top bees’ at the Fifth Annual Community Spelling Bee are members of To Bee or Not to Bee/Buckhannon Community Theatre, sponsored by the Buckhannon Animal Clinic. Their team included Rise Hanifan, Lee Barbo, Shawn Hanifan and Breesha Avison, who received a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year after defeating members of 24 other teams Friday evening. The event, sponsored by the Upshur Arts Alliance, is a fun-filled evening of friendly competition, raising money to support the arts in Upshur County.

Better BEE-lieve it: BCT Team ‘Too Bee or Not to Bee’ upsets reigning champ Highway to Spell

BUCKHANNON – The Event Center at Brushy Fork was all ‘abuzz’ Friday evening as neighbors gathered for a fun evening of friendly competition benefitting a great cause.

This is the fifth year for the Upshur Arts Alliance Community Spelling Bee and teams were swarming to take part in the fun event that supports local arts in Upshur County.

Each participating team was hoping to ‘bee’ victorious as they worked in teams of up to four ‘worker bees’ to spell words such as ‘polynya,’ which is an area of open water surrounded by sea ice; ‘coulrophobia,’ which is an extreme or irrational fear of clowns; or ‘craquelure,’ which is a network of fine cracks in the paint or varnish of a painting.

Teams participating each had to spell the words within 30 seconds, and if the words were misspelled, the judge at their table popped one of their four balloons. Teams could purchase up to four more balloons to add to their chances of winning.

Champs To Bee or Not to Bee with Upshurs Arts Alliance reps, Elizabeth Spencer, at left, and the Bee at the community bee, David Carson.

The first team to misspell words and lose all their balloons receives a consolation prize of pocket dictionaries.

Each of the 25 hives of spellers not only had the goal of raising money for the arts in Upshur County, but also hoped to fly to the top and beat the 2018 and 2019 defending champions of AB/CD Highway to Spell, including Daya Wright, Shauna Jones, Lynn Linder and Kim Bjorgo-Thorne, who were looking to be crowned the ‘queen bees’ and three-year-winners.

After spelling 30 words, five teams remained – BPO Bees, sponsored by Buckhannon Elks Lodge; The Queen Bees; To Bee or Not to Bee/Buckhannon Community Theatre, sponsored by the Buckhannon Animal Clinic; Upshur County Board of Education; AB/CD Highway to Spell, sponsored by the Law Office of Daya Masada Wright; and a mystery team who decided to come in and participate in the fun.

The final word that determined the winner was ‘bougainvillea,’ a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes or trees.

With the correct spelling, team To Bee or Not to Bee/Buckhannon Community Theatre, sponsored by the Buckhannon Animal Clinic, was declared the winner, claiming bragging rights for the year and a traveling trophy they can display.

Proceeds from the Upshur Arts Alliance Community Spelling Bee helps support the Augusta Youth Ballet Company, the Buckhannon Chamber Orchestra, the Buckhannon Community Theatre, the Buckhannon Choral Society and Artistry on Main. The UAA annually provides two $500 scholarships for a graduating Upshur County senior who plans to pursue a career in the arts, and they offer mini-grants to groups and individuals. They also bring artistic opportunities to the community and host the West Virginia Strawberry Festival Juried Arts Show.

The UAA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization driven by volunteers and in its 37 years, it has worked to fund, educate, promote and provide arts opportunities in Upshur County. Additional information about the Upshur Arts Alliance is available on Facebook here.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Upshur County Courthouse

County approves $11.5-million-dollar budget, which includes several earmarked ARPA-funded projects

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year saw increases in the regional jail bill and increases to PEIA premiums, but commissioners were still able to provide 3 percent raises across elected officials’ departments. Upshur County […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Tennis Bucs tumble to Lewis County

BUCKHANNON – The Buckhannon-Upshur boys’ tennis team came up short in a home clash with the Lewis County Minutemen Wednesday evening at the West Virginia Wesleyan courts. The Bucs dropped a 7-0 decision. No. 3 singles player Bradly Helmick was […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Maxell and Currence garner All-State basketball recognition

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs had two players selected to the 2022-23 WVSWA Class AAAA Girls’ Basketball Team that was voted on by the state’s sports writers. Senior forward/center Kendall Currence and junior guard

Sports

Class AAAA Boy’s All-State Basketball Team announced

CHARLESTON — The Class AAAA All-State Boys Basketball Team as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association was announced today. Sharron Young, who led Morgantown to the Class AAAA title, was named the First

Softball Lady Bucs roll Preston in three innings, 20-3

KINGWOOD – After getting just one hit and shutout in their opener against Lincoln on Monday, the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs had no offensive shortage against the Preston Knights in a 20-3 demolition Wednesday evening in Kingwood in Big 10 Conference […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Upshur Stars recognized at recent Board of Education meeting

BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Fred Eberle Technical Center students were recognized at a recent Upshur County Board of Education meeting for their excellence in recent competitions. B-UHS swim coaches Mrs. Jennifer Bennett and Mr.