Williams wins the Literacy Coalition Celebrity Spelling Bee
Jeff Williams, principal at Ragersville Elementary and Baltic Elementary, won the eighth annual Celebrity Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition. He is pictured here with coaches Benson Yoder and Regina Beach along with The Bee Princess, played by Rees Maloon.
Jeff Williams, principal at Ragersville Elementary and Baltic Elementary, won the eighth annual Celebrity Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition, on Thursday, May 10 in a showdown with Mary Poppins, portrayed by Tamara Benson.
Williams credited his coaches Benson Yoder and Regina Beach for keeping him calm and helping him spell during the intense competition.
Mary Poppins made a misstep while spelling “cuirass” (a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist) and opened the way to victory for Williams, who spelled “cuirass” correctly before spelling “conscientious” correctly for the win.
“To participate in such a fun event that benefits a great cause was awesome,” Williams said. “I am very glad I won because many of my students told me I would not be allowed out at recess for a week if I didn’t.”
Williams loves recess.