F-L-A-B-B-E-R-G-A-S-T-E-D
That is how Shirley Weiszbrod, of Fort Supply, felt after winning the senior citizens state championship spelling bee during the Oklahoma State Conference on Aging last May.
“I could not believe it,” she said.
Weiszbrod said she was even more amazed by the win because she originally wasn’t supposed to participate in the state championship, but was alternate.
“That did make it more special,” she said.
Weiszbrod said she was an alternate because she had misspelled “mantilla” and missed out on the top spot at last year’s regional spelling bee.
However, she is hoping to do better at this year’s regional bee so that she can earn another spot at the state championship and defend her title.
The regional Senior Spelling Bee is a long-standing annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Economic Development Authority’s Area Agency on Aging.
The Area Agency on Aging is currently gearing up for this year’s regional bee to be held April 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the agency’s offices, located at 330 Douglas Ave. in Beaver.
Any senior 60-years-old or older is eligible to participate in the free event, according to Leona Perry, director for the Area Agency on Aging. However, registration is required, she said, so those wishing to participate must contact the Area Agency on Aging by April 13 to sign up.
Weiszbrod said she would definitely encourage other senior citizens to participate in the spelling bee.
In fact, she said she has been busy trying to recruit more participants for this year’s bee.
“I’ve called people on the phone, I’ve talked about it at the retired teacher’s meeting, I’ve taken a copy of the words to the senior citizens center,” she said.
“They say we’ve got to use our minds to stay sharp,” Weiszbrod said, noting that the spelling bee is a great way to exercise your mind.
But more than that, she said “it’s a fun thing to do.”
Weiszbrod said she even had fun just preparing for the spelling bee last year as it provided her an opportunity to spend more time with her friend Leota Campbell as they studied the spelling list while sharing coffee.
The fact that the spelling bee provides seniors with opportunities for fun and fellowship is what helps to make it so great, Perry said.
In addition, she said the bee is a worthwhile event because it “showcase(s) the wisdom and intelligence of our seniors.”
“We encourage all senior citizens to come and share their knowledge and to experience the fun and fellowship of this event,” Perry said.
Family members, friends and other supporters are also encouraged to attend the event to help cheer the participants on, she said, noting that there will be a reception held for the participants and their supporters following the competition.
At the end of the regional bee, the top three spellers will receive prizes and the top two will head on to the state competition which will be held May 19 during the 2009 Oklahoma State Conference on Aging.
For more information on the event or to sign-up and receive a spelling word study guide, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-658-2844.
