The Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF), in partnership with Medical Associates of Rhode Island (MARI), is set to introduce big changes to the 12th Annual Bee.
The Bee, formally known as The Bodacious Bee, hosted by BWEF and MARI, has been an adult spelling bee for 11 years. The premier fundraising event of the BWEF calendar year, it has been an evening of highlighting Star Teachers of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, and the support of area businesses for education in the district, as well as fundraising for grant programs awarded by the BWEF. This year, the work and fun will continue with a new game – trivia.
'After 11 successful years of holding a spelling Bee for our annual event, as we enter a new decade, we felt this would BEE an amazing time for a change to the game. A former board member suggested the idea, and after talking to people and receiving incredibly positive feedback, we decided trivia would be a fun and exciting new twist to the event,' said Bee Co-Chair and BWEF Board Member, Melanie Michaud.
The format for the game will be trivia style, with questions ranging from topics such as history, sports, entertainment, and more. Teams of three members will compete on stage against two other teams at a time, answering questions read by BWRSD Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Brice. Winning teams in each round will move on to the final round, where the ultimate winner of The Bee will be declared.
Nicky Piper, Chair, Bristol Warren Education Foundation, says 'This is sure to be a fun, and exciting evening. Along with the new game, we will spotlight our six Star Teachers for 2020 - one from each school in the district – as chosen by the graduating classes of each school. This is one of the highlights of the night, as we recognize the incredible teachers who work tirelessly across all of the schools of the BWRSD.'
Along with the changes to the game itself comes another change – the mascot of the event. Bristol/Warren community members have become used to seeing the sassy Bee that has been associated with the Bee from the beginning. However, Warren based designer Ryan Noonan, former BWEF Board member and BWRSD parent, felt with a new decade and a new game, it was the perfect time to introduce a new mascot.
'As the Bee enters its second decade, we have decided to give a new look to our mascot, affectionately known as the "Bee Girl." Our bee event is truly one of a kind, and as the fundraising lynchpin for the BWEF calendar year, we have decided to create an updated character that embodies the spirit and youthful personality of the students we are fundraising for,' Noonan said.
With a new game, new mascot, catering by Bristol's The Common Pub, raffles, and a silent auction, you are sure to BEE AMAZED at the 2020 Bee.
The Bee will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Roger Williams University. Click here for tickets, to register a team and more information. Early bird pricing for tables of 8 or 10 runs through Wednesday, February 5, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
