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Spellers have a mission
Executive Spelling Bee helps area literacy effort

By Kass Stone, Post-Tribune correspondent

Vindicate. Dietetics. Bunyanesque. Peristaltic.

These, among many words more complicated, were wrestled with by contestants in the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition's 16th annual Executive Spelling Bee.

The bee, held Thursday night at East Chicago's Harrah's Casino, brought together 16 teams, representing 11 companies from across Northwest Indiana, to test their spelling ability and to promote literacy.

Each team paid an entrance fee of a $100 donation to the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition. Prior to the contest, member of the public were invited to attend the Business After Hours Party.

The party was designed as a way for the coalition to reach out to area business men and women in order to educate them about its works to promote literacy in the region.

"An educated businessperson is somebody who is that much more sympathetic if they have an employee that is having trouble reading," explained Carol Moore, a member of the coalition's board and the chairwoman of the Executive Spelling Bee. "It could be a person that is not reading up to the right level or is having trouble learning English. We promote programs that help anyone having problems with reading."

Throughout the Business After Hours event leading up to the start of the bee, the various teams, all dressed in team T-shirts and colors, studied the list of often-daunting words that they may be called upon to spell.

While many of the contestants expressed touches of anxiety over their performance in the event, an air of good-natured fun for a good cause prevailed.

Although team members predicted a win for their side prior to the event, it was Ispat Inland that walked away with the top prize.

"We're really excited," said Linda Perez of Harrah's East Chicago Casino's team No. 2 about her teammates' state of mind going into the event.

"Although we intend to win, we all know it is for a good cause. We are just excited to be promoting literacy."

"The last time I was in a spelling bee was in the fourth grade," continued Perez, laughing. "I remember the last word I missed. It was hollyhock. I will never forget that."

Many of the participants expressed remorse over childhood spelling bee performances and seemed to relish in the fact that they were getting an opportunity to try their hand at the spelling game as adults.

"I, in particular, think that it's good for people to see that there are people that are employed at the casinos that can spell," said Michael Lynch, a member of Trump Casino's team No. 1. "We are a very diverse group and this gives us a chance to demonstrate our skills."

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