These blooms, also known as Black-Eyed Susans, most commonly come in shades of yellow and orange, but they brought home gold for Daytona State College in the Volusia Literacy Council’s 18th annual Corporate Spelling Bee.
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Daytona State's championship spelling team members take a pose with their trophy. From left: Ben Graydon, Michelle Lee, Evan Rivers, Joanne Pinkston-McDuffie, Literacy Council Board President James Jiloty, Ellen Nielsen, Dustin Weeks, Ted Wygant, Rachel Owens and Frank Gunshanan. |
For the second year in a row, the faculty stacked, eight-member team organized by the Daytona State College Foundation out-spelled 11 other teams during the May 12 event at Daytona International Speedway’s Bill France Room, helping to raise more than $4,000 for Literacy Council programs.
“The Foundation came really intent on getting the championship again this year,” said Jae Hilgers, a Literacy Council spokesperson. “They were well prepared and the money they helped raise for this event really makes a big difference when it comes to supporting and improving literacy in our community.”
The championship team included Evan Rivers, chair of the School of Humanities and Communication; English faculty Ben Graydon, Frank Gunshanan, Michelle Lee and Ellen Nielson; librarians Dustin Weeks and Rachel Owens; and humanities faculty Ted Wygant.
“A big thank you and huge congratulations to all of our team members, and particularly to Joanne Pinkston-McDuffie for coordinating this effort on our behalf,” said Donna Sue Sanders, vice president and senior executive director of the Foundation. “Your willingness to take time out of your busy lives to participate in this very worthy cause is greatly appreciated.”
Other organizations participating in the event were Halifax Health, Florida Health Care, Volusia County School Board, Volusia Literacy Council Tutors, United Way, Junior Achievement, The News-Journal and FPL.
