2017 CLE-BEE Corporate Spelling Bee

September 7th was our 2nd annual Corporate Spelling Bee. 27 teams from across the city competed to see who would become our next spelling champion. It was a fun night of friendly competition and raising awareness about the importance of literacy.

The buzz of excitement started early for our 2nd annual CLE-BEE. The Cavs, Browns and Indians generously donated special edition jerseys and footballs for our champions this year

Got an exciting package in the office today! @Cavs jerseys for the winners of our upcoming #CLEBEE in September! Will you be joining us? https://t.co/izo8nMwdK8

Got an exciting package in the office today! @cavs jerseys for the winners of our upcoming #CLEBEE in September! Will you be joining us? pic.twitter.com/izo8nMwdK8

The winners of our #CLEBEE are going to be some lucky people. An awesome @cavs jersey and this football from @ClevelandBrowns! https://t.co/0lirmApusV

The winners of our #CLEBEE are going to be some lucky people. An awesome @cavs jersey and this football from @ClevelandBrowns! pic.twitter.com/0lirmApusV
Many of our teams held mini-bees in order to find their team members for the competition.

The Corrigan Krause/DMS mini bee has started! They are getting ready for the competition! https://t.co/OrouC7rI1c

The Corrigan Krause/DMS mini bee has started! They are getting ready for the competition! pic.twitter.com/OrouC7rI1c

The Corrigan Krause /DMS team plus our own board Treasurer Al Harsar. #CLEBEE https://t.co/iGLMGfbdIf

The Corrigan Krause /DMS team plus our own board Treasurer Al Harsar. #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/iGLMGfbdIf

This group are impressive spellers! Look out other corporate teams. #CLEBEE @medmutual https://t.co/ABV9jCX06K

This group are impressive spellers! Look out other corporate teams. #CLEBEE@medmutual pic.twitter.com/ABV9jCX06K

Here is the Medical Mutual team! @medmutual #CLEBEE https://t.co/p4mKLMfUen

Here is the Medical Mutual team! @medmutual #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/p4mKLMfUen

#UnitedWayCLE #CLEBEE Contestants are ready to go!!! https://t.co/MhdPgpT8FV

#UnitedWayCLE #CLEBEE Contestants are ready to go!!! pic.twitter.com/MhdPgpT8FV

The delivery of the official words to our #CLEBEE reader Mike Snyder @wtam1100 https://t.co/GMR2gaqfXM

The delivery of the official words to our #CLEBEE reader Mike Snyder @wtam1100 pic.twitter.com/GMR2gaqfXM

Bob delivering the official words to our #CLEBEE reader Monyka @CityofCleveland. Thank you Officer Reggie for your assistance. https://t.co/dnnybZ2YgD

Bob delivering the official words to our #CLEBEE reader Monyka @CityofCleveland. Thank you Officer Reggie for your assistance. pic.twitter.com/dnnybZ2YgD

Bob and @BetsyKling having fun discussing #CLEBEE business. Wearing the official #CLEBEE t-shirt! https://t.co/t8oL7wy8jw

Bob and @BetsyKling having fun discussing #CLEBEE business. Wearing the official #CLEBEE t-shirt! pic.twitter.com/t8oL7wy8jw

Here at the @TheCityClub getting all set for tonight!! #clebee https://t.co/iRqa03Rdv9

Here at the @TheCityClub getting all set for tonight!! #clebeepic.twitter.com/iRqa03Rdv9
Our prize table was set up showcasing all the fantastic items that our champions would be walking away with.

The stakes have risen. Now winners get not only get a @cavs jersey @Browns football but an @Indians jersey too!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/CGyZNqQhrn

The stakes have risen. Now winners get not only get a @cavs jersey @Brownsfootball but an @Indians jersey too!! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/CGyZNqQhrn
Our volunteers helped to get things ready. Our #CLE-BEE selfie booth was set up in the lobby where everyone could take pictures showing off their team spirit and excitement.

Volunteers here and ready! Helping set up for a great night!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/IIe7rJlvc8

Volunteers here and ready! Helping set up for a great night!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/IIe7rJlvc8

Our Executive Director is here!! Getting things Ready! #clebee https://t.co/kujSys1rXP

Our Executive Director is here!! Getting things Ready! #clebeepic.twitter.com/kujSys1rXP

#CLEBEE Chris Matthews current AmeriCorps NEO Skills member being of service! https://t.co/GYfNgPhr2A

#CLEBEE Chris Matthews current AmeriCorps NEO Skills member being of service! pic.twitter.com/GYfNgPhr2A
Some of board members like Gary Clark and his wife got into the spirit and made sure to share a picture from our selfie booth.

These attendees are ready to Cheer on their favorite teams! It's going to be a fun night!#CLEBEE https://t.co/ZccrNLSwb8

These attendees are ready to Cheer on their favorite teams! It’s going to be a fun night!#CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/ZccrNLSwb8

These AmeriCorps Volunteers are ready for tonight's event... #CLEBEE https://t.co/koXCVHPnKx

These AmeriCorps Volunteers are ready for tonight’s event… #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/koXCVHPnKx
Teams checked in and enjoyed appetizers and drinks as they pumped themselves up for the upcoming competition.

Our teams are arriving!! Can't wait to see them all compete!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/l4B0u2y7Rw

Our teams are arriving!! Can’t wait to see them all compete!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/l4B0u2y7Rw
We were excited and glad that Cuyahoga Community County Executive, Armond Budish, returned this year to celebrate our 2nd annual CLE-BEE.

@Cuyahogacounty County Executive Armond Budish and our Executive Director! #CLEBEE https://t.co/VuRpKJsvqs

@CuyahogaCounty County Executive Armond Budish and our Executive Director! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/VuRpKJsvqs

Our board president Beth and her husband are here to cheer on all our teams! Going to be a fun night! #CLEBEE https://t.co/J2sPHWT1AV

Our board president Beth and her husband are here to cheer on all our teams! Going to be a fun night! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/J2sPHWT1AV

Brian is ready for tonight's event! #CLEBEE https://t.co/z6waQ6yk0J

Brian is ready for tonight’s event! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/z6waQ6yk0J
Our teams were eager and ready to go!

Team #Tri-C ready for the competition to start!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/Ll65EQwQSX

Team #Tri-C ready for the competition to start!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/Ll65EQwQSX

@Indians are ready for the competition to start! #CLEBEE https://t.co/QaJ0OZJnlG

@Indians are ready for the competition to start! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/QaJ0OZJnlG

@clevelpolicefnd are ready for the competition to start! #CLEBEE https://t.co/eEIlDEkWTw

@clevelpolicefnd are ready for the competition to start! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/eEIlDEkWTw

The @PNCBank team is ready to compete in #CLEBEE. Raising $ for the @literacycoop 🐝 https://t.co/NgLtPdRv6i

The @PNCBank team is ready to compete in #CLEBEE. Raising $ for the @literacycoop 🐝 pic.twitter.com/NgLtPdRv6i

@EngageCleveland have been drilling and practicing for weeks now. We hope it all pays off! #CLEBEE https://t.co/aAZ6dRhaJC

@EngageCleveland have been drilling and practicing for weeks now. We hope it all pays off! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/aAZ6dRhaJC

They ready for tonight's event!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/nqUuQb1vxR

They ready for tonight’s event!! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/nqUuQb1vxR

#luckyme I have my own cheerleader for #CLEBEE !! Love you, @Brennan_Huff_OH ! https://t.co/gOhesekJnr

#luckyme I have my own cheerleader for #CLEBEE !! Love you, @Brennan_Huff_OH ! pic.twitter.com/gOhesekJnr

@PNCBank Deborah Russell is here to cheer on PNC #CLEBEE https://t.co/gzEQJE44z8

@PNCBank Deborah Russell is here to cheer on PNC #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/gzEQJE44z8

@Cwrusom are ready for the competition to start!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/KGY1ZgOf39

@CWRUSOM are ready for the competition to start!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/KGY1ZgOf39

Getting ready for the 2017 #CLEBEE https://t.co/8g1ts3J6e6

Getting ready for the 2017 #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/8g1ts3J6e6
The Honorable Judge Russo used his gavel to get everyone gathered together to start the evening.

Judge Russo calls everyone to order to start the #CLEBEE!! https://t.co/SuFygC7QW2

Judge Russo calls everyone to order to start the #CLEBEE!! pic.twitter.com/SuFygC7QW2
Our board president Beth Grove rang the City Club bell and greeted everyone.

Our board president rings the bell and starts our #CLEBEE https://t.co/Upi4LUaoRt

Our board president rings the bell and starts our #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/Upi4LUaoRt
Our Executive Director, Bob Paponetti, welcomed everyone and spoke about the work we do and upcoming initiatives.

Our Executive Director welcomes everyone and talks about the 2 generation approach. #CLEBEE https://t.co/t0UO3dzT1y

Our Executive Director welcomes everyone and talks about the 2 generation approach. #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/t0UO3dzT1y
Marc Stefanski, CEO of Third Federal, spoke about Third Federal’s work and why fighting low literacy is so important.

Marc Stefanski, CEO of @thirdfederal talks about their work with literacy &welcomes everyone!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/Fh7V0Ttv5Y

Marc Stefanski, CEO of @thirdfederal talks about their work with literacy &welcomes everyone!! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/Fh7V0Ttv5Y
Mayor Frank Jackson was not able to attend the CLE-BEE in person this year but recorded a welcoming video for all the attendees and teams.

@CLEMayorJackson sent in a special video welcoming everyone to the #CLEBEE https://t.co/feTKQRNmgS

@CLEMayorJackson sent in a special video welcoming everyone to the #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/feTKQRNmgS
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish highlighted the impact and importance of addressing low literacy in Cuyahoga county.

@CuyahogaCounty Executive Armond Budish talks about literacy in our county. #CLEBEE https://t.co/7VKRWAKsca

@CuyahogaCounty Executive Armond Budish talks about literacy in our county. #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/7VKRWAKsca

#CLEBEE has kicked off. So honored to be here to not only compete, but support literacy efforts for our city #CLE !!! @EngageCleveland https://t.co/Ezqu20uLYm

#CLEBEE has kicked off. So honored to be here to not only compete, but support literacy efforts for our city #CLE !!! @EngageClevelandpic.twitter.com/Ezqu20uLYm
Our emcee and Queen Bee of the evening Betsy Kling got the competition rolling.

@BetsyKling, our Emcee and Queen Bee, starts off our #CLEBEE! https://t.co/pN5fuqLngK

@BetsyKling, our Emcee and Queen Bee, starts off our #CLEBEE! pic.twitter.com/pN5fuqLngK

Queen bee @BetsyKling is ready to kick off the #clebee corporate spelling bee. https://t.co/T5L6TyhojA

Queen bee @BetsyKling is ready to kick off the #clebee corporate spelling bee. pic.twitter.com/T5L6TyhojA
Swarm 1 was the Corporate round. The teams competing were the Indians, WKYC, Engage Cleveland (Sponsored by Lubrizol), United Way of Greater Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and The Lubrizol Corporation.

Words are food for the brain. #clebee has begun. Raising $ for the @literacycoop https://t.co/B3zao5knys

Words are food for the brain. #clebee has begun. Raising $ for the @literacycoop pic.twitter.com/B3zao5knys

Our awesome Leadership Council members representing us at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE Thanks to @LubrizolCorp for sponsoring us! #literacy https://t.co/UR8WdB68u2

Our awesome Leadership Council members representing us at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE Thanks to @LubrizolCorp for sponsoring us! #literacypic.twitter.com/UR8WdB68u2

Some fierce competition at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE Happy to raise awareness of the importance of literacy. @professionalhue @SgCle https://t.co/aaXYNVhKvs

Some fierce competition at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE Happy to raise awareness of the importance of literacy. @professionalhue @SgClepic.twitter.com/aaXYNVhKvs
It was a tough round and teams fought hard. United Way of Greater Cleveland were victorious and were the winners of Swarm 1.

And @UnitedWayCLE are out swarm 1 winners!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/rZs2VB99LJ

And @UnitedWayCLE are out swarm 1 winners!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/rZs2VB99LJ

Update: the @UnitedWayCLE won the Corporate round of the #CLEBEE! On to the Final Four! @literacycoop https://t.co/LA7ikowtik

Update: the @UnitedWayCLE won the Corporate round of the #CLEBEE! On to the Final Four! @literacycoop pic.twitter.com/LA7ikowtik
Team members that didn’t advance to the final round stayed and cheered on the other teams and took some fun pictures at our selfie booth!

@LubrizolCorp takes a pic with @BetsyKling as they cheer on the other teams!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/GZuqgULJlI

@LubrizolCorp takes a pic with @BetsyKling as they cheer on the other teams!! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/GZuqgULJlI

We weren't v-i-c-t-o-r-i-o-u-s but we're still p-r-o-u-d of the WKYC #CLEBEE team! 🐝 https://t.co/fngA7Wf9BT

We weren’t v-i-c-t-o-r-i-o-u-s but we’re still p-r-o-u-d of the WKYC #CLEBEEteam! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/fngA7Wf9BT
Swarm 2, Community, began right away. Teams competing were Case School (Sponsored by Jones Day), Broadway P16 (Sponsored by Third Federal Foundation), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (Sponsored by Key Bank), Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College and Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County.
Another tough round but Tri-C emerged victorious. For the second time, Tri-C won the round and advanced to the finals. The only organization to win a round two years in a row.

And @TriCedu is our second swarm winners! @BetsyKling presents them their trophy!! https://t.co/3eydFzNcsF

And @TriCedu is our second swarm winners! @BetsyKling presents them their trophy!! pic.twitter.com/3eydFzNcsF

@CWRUSOM had been drilling and practicing for weeks now. The competition was fierce and exciting!! #clebee https://t.co/EXsLQEZ1Nn

@CWRUSOM had been drilling and practicing for weeks now. The competition was fierce and exciting!! #clebee pic.twitter.com/EXsLQEZ1Nn
After a brief break the legal teams took the stage. This Swarm had last year’s champion’s Baker Hostetler competing. The teams fighting to knock out last year’s champs this round were Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, Cleveland Police Foundation, Frantz Ward LLP, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Thompson Hine LLP, and Pepple & Waggoner.
Before the round started Judge Russo had all the teams stand up and buzz their nerves out.

Judge Russo has everyone buzz out some of their nerves before they start! #CLEBEE https://t.co/OWiOIrVTN1

Judge Russo has everyone buzz out some of their nerves before they start! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/OWiOIrVTN1
There were some tough words that tricked many of the teams. It was a tough round!

This one got 4 teams a flag. Tough one!! #CLEBEE https://t.co/ESqb7PQeo2

This one got 4 teams a flag. Tough one!! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/ESqb7PQeo2
The teams fought hard and in the end Benesch Friedlander overthrew last year’s champions and became the Swarm Three champs.
Swarm 4 was the Financial round. The teams competing were Oswald Companies, Medical Mutual of Ohio, PNC Bank, Third Federal Foundation, Wells Fargo Insurance, Ciuni & Panichi, Inc, and Corrigan Krause CPAs/ DMS Management Solutions.

Team @PNCBank is serious about raising money for @literacycoop. They're not at all competitive... #CLEBEE https://t.co/d1tfQ7v07q

Team @PNCBank is serious about raising money for @literacycoop. They’re not at all competitive… #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/d1tfQ7v07q
Judge Russo did have to make a ruling on one of the letters in a team’s spelling. He ruled in the team’s favor and competition continued.
The teams fought hard and in the end Medical Mutual of Ohio were the victors. They received their trophy and moved onto the championship round.
 And @medmutual wins swarm 4!! Onto the championship round!! #CLEBEEpic.twitter.com/BQnhQyvQXn

Team Medical Mutual in the final round. Go team! #CLEBEE @medmutual @DebraGreenMM https://t.co/7QjdvlRNvS

Team Medical Mutual in the final round. Go team! #CLEBEE @medmutual@DebraGreenMM pic.twitter.com/7QjdvlRNvS

We didn't win but we had a great time participating in #clebee for the @literacycoop https://t.co/cNr4xUVxX4

We didn’t win but we had a great time participating in #clebee for the @literacycoop pic.twitter.com/cNr4xUVxX4
To start the final round our Queen Bee, Betsy Kling, had everyone stand up and stretch it out in order to prepare themselves for the final round of competition.
Time for the last round of the #CLEBEE! @BetsyKling is getting us all ready for the #finalfour with a 7th inning stretch. pic.twitter.com/p7qT8T11N4https://t.co/p7qT8T11N4pic.twitter.com/p7qT8T11N4
Before the round started Judge Russo asked for the room to vote – do we keep the same rules for the final round, 2 strike policy, or do we reduce it to one strike? The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the 2 strike rule.

Judge Russo takes a vote and decides to keep the 2 strike rule for the final round! #CLEBEE https://t.co/Yru5eZ6UIV

Judge Russo takes a vote and decides to keep the 2 strike rule for the final round! #CLEBEE pic.twitter.com/Yru5eZ6UIV
The championship round competitors were United Way of Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College, Benesch Friedlander and Medical Mutual of Ohio.
It was a fast paced and exciting final round. In the end Benesch Friedlander became our 2nd CLE-BEE Champions!!
And our 2nd annual #CLEBEE champs are @BeneschLaw Congrats!!!!! pic.twitter.com/yl0zkqRzcI

.@UnitedWayCLE came in second, and lost it on the word metonymy. So much fun at the 2017 #CLEBEE by the @literacycoop! Thanks to all! 🐝 https://t.co/dZ1ykddwfB

.@UnitedWayCLE came in second, and lost it on the word metonymy. So much fun at the 2017 #CLEBEE by the @literacycoop! Thanks to all! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/dZ1ykddwfB

The lawyers win, again! Congrats @BeneschLaw for conquering tonight's corporate spelling bee. Great job emceeing the #CLEBEE @BetsyKling https://t.co/fhZH1AxA9w

The lawyers win, again! Congrats @BeneschLaw for conquering tonight’s corporate spelling bee. Great job emceeing the #CLEBEE @BetsyKlingpic.twitter.com/fhZH1AxA9w
 Amazing job to our Super Spellers at the #CLEBEE Corporate Spelling Bee. We were happy to raise awareness on the importance of literacy! 📕🐝 https://t.co/n4uFsSglBG
Amazing job to our Super Spellers at the #CLEBEE Corporate Spelling Bee. We were happy to raise awareness on the importance of literacy! 📕🐝 pic.twitter.com/n4uFsSglBG

Our team had a great time at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE yesterday. Congrats to @BeneschLaw on taking home the trophy. https://t.co/c2HVh78OL0

Our team had a great time at the @literacycoop #CLEBEE yesterday. Congrats to @BeneschLaw on taking home the trophy. pic.twitter.com/c2HVh78OL0
Our 2nd annual Corporate Spelling Bee was a fun night. Our teams came together to compete and raise awareness about the importance of literacy in our community. We had a great night and wanted to thank all of our teams, sponsors, and attendees for joining us at this important event.

Hey @BeneschLaw found your championship winning board this morning. Thanks for joining us for our #CLEBEE last night and congrats!! https://t.co/3cjbRIldpf

Hey @BeneschLaw found your championship winning board this morning. Thanks for joining us for our #CLEBEE last night and congrats!! pic.twitter.com/3cjbRIldpf