LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WHITE PLAINS WINS!

On March 11, 2016, in the Highlands Middle School auditorium, twenty-two teams of three people each competed for the Championship of the WPPL Spelling Bee. Mayor Thomas Roach was the emcee and White Plains City Judge Jo Ann Friia, WPHS English teacher Nicole Reis and Library Director Brian Kenney were the judges. The event was co-chaired by Beth Kava and Beth Roach.

Above from left to right: Beth Roach, Mayor Tom Roach, Barbara Cooper, Stephen Cohen, Jennifer Watts and Beth Kava.

There were raffle ticket and refreshments on sale with all proceeds from the evening benefiting “The Hub” a new adult space within the White Plains Library. The Hub is being supported by a $1 million gift to the White Plains Library Foundation from anonymous donors; an additional $500,00 0 being raised by the Foundation through the Campaign for The Hub; and funds from the City of White Plains and the State of New York.

Community Organizations, friends and local teen-agers all made up the teams. The White Plains League team consisted of Board members Barbara Cooper, Jennifer Watts and Stephen Cohen. The words got increasingly more difficult and eventually there were only 5 teams left in the Championship round. As the teams were eliminated, tension grew. It came down to the last word, “mnemonic” and the League of Women Voters of White Plains spelled it correctly and won the Championship. Each team member received a stuffed “Bee” to commemorate their victory.

It was a wonderful, fun evening filled with a strong sense of community. Be sure to come out and support the Spelling Bee next year.

Janice Abbott, President LWVWP