Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
A local homeschool spelling bee event recently helped raise over $2,000 for the expenses of a local girl who has been fighting cancer since she was 3 years old.
The Spell for Evangeline event was held on Friday, March 28, at Friendship Baptist Church in Live Oak, hosting a group of talented children ranging from ages 5 to 15 as they competed in their respective age classes for the championship title.
The event, led by a group of homeschool advocates, also featured a raffle drawing where attendees had the chance to win some unique prizes that were donated from various organizations. “We are incredibly grateful to all of our amazing sponsors and supporters who made this fundraiser a success,” McAlpin Homeschool Co-Op Director Michelle Harrison said. “Because of their generosity, we surpassed our $2,000 goal.”
Harrison said that the event actually surpassed its goal in February during the All Aboard Festival event, but managed to raise an extra $141. The funds will go toward expenses for the McKenna family, which continues to seek treatment for their daughter, Evangeline McKenna. McKenna has been fighting rhabdomyosarcoma since she was 3-years-old. Recently, she underwent a significant procedure at a children’s hospital in Ohio and is currently recuperating at home.
During the spelling bee, Myrrh Galloway won the 5 to 7 age group, while Hope Gunter and Chani Abreu took second and third place, respectively.
The 8 to 11 age group contest was an all-out battle for best speller, with Bailey Freeman, Averie Lowe and Casey Shindelbower going toe-to-toe for roughly ten minutes after several contestants were eliminated. Ultimately, Freeman won, while Lowe and Shindelbower took second and third place, respectively.
In the 12 to 15 age group, Scarlet Hernandez took first place, while Gavin and Gauge McFadden placed second and third, respectively.
After the age groups were completed, each first and second-place winner returned to the microphone to compete for the title of Overall Winner of the Homeschool Spelling Bee. Galloway won the contest.
Amber Galloway, who helped organize the event, thanked the sponsors who made the event happen, as well as those who helped with coordinating it. “A major thank you to our team that helped organize this event and make it happen: Michelle Harrison, Sarah Dennis and Yochani Woloszyn Abreu,” she said. “And, of course, thank you to Danielle Jones, William Johnson, Marilynn McClamma Eaken and Jonas Harrison for volunteering and helping out.”
She also wished to thank everyone who participated, donated and volunteered. “This event was a true example of community love in action,” Amber said. “Let’s continue to come together as a community to support one another.”
