STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The ballroom at LiGreci’s Staaten brimmed with nervous laughter and friendly conversation last week, when the North Shore Rotary Club hosted its Third Annual Adult Spelling Bee, a competition that raised a record $10,000 to support the club’s Literacy Campaign.
Proceeds from the competition help fund tutoring for local underprivileged second and third grade students.
The evening culminated with “Chief Speller” Maxine Checchi of Checchi Law taking honors after she confidently eased through three rounds, capped by spelling her final word: M-A-I-N-T-E-N-A-N-C-E.
From the left, Dennis Surmanek, president North Shore Rotary Club, Maxine Checchi, the winner, of Cheechi Law, Norma Francullo and Ryan Williams, event host and co-chair. (Courtesy/Frank Wilkinson)Staten Island Advance
FACTS ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER AND THE NORTH SHORE ROTARY
Through partnerships with Tiny to Tall Tutoring and Test Prep, the New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) and PS 861 Staten Island School of Civic Leadership, more than 50 children have received direct, one-on-one literacy support over the past two years, noted Frank Wilkinson, past president of the North Shore Rotary Club, who now serves as treasurer.
Last year, five students advanced one reading level, 12 students advanced two levels, and three students advanced three reading levels.
“This event really captures what Rotary is all about,” said Dennis Surmanek, president of the North Shore Rotary Club. “It brought our community together for a fun, high-energy night while raising meaningful funds for a cause that’s delivering real results. Seeing those outcomes reinforces why this work matters.”
Lteracy is a core “Area of Focus” for Rotary International, addressing a critical need among students who may not have access to the resources required to develop strong reading skills at a pivotal age, skills closely tied to long-term academic achievement and opportunity, Wilkinson went on to explain.
“Our Literacy Campaign is focused on early intervention, when support can make the greatest difference,” said Event Co-Chair, Alex Ziselman. “These results show that when students get individualized attention, their confidence and abilities grow quickly.”
Event co-chair and spelling bee host Ryan Williams added, “Every dollar raised turns into tutoring hours and real progress for students. This is one of those programs where you can see the impact in black and white.”
MORE ON THE CHARITABLE EVENING
Twelve teams of three players competed for “Best Spellers” bragging rights and the trophy, including Checchi Law, LLC, Mid-Island Rotary Club, Mostafavi Eye Institute, the North Shore Rotary Club, Northfield Bank, Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Rab’s Country Lanes, Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard, Richmond University Medical Center, the Rotary Club of Staten Island, The Queen’s Court, and Williams Eye Works.
From the left, Ryan Williams, the Mid-Island Team, Debra Denmark, Linda Aubrey, and Laura Zaloom and Dennis Surmanek. (Courtesy/Frank Williams)Staten Island Advance
The opening speed round featured all teams at once, working collaboratively to spell words on whiteboards while flashing their answers to the crowd, and four teams at a time, showing off teamwork and quick thinking, continued Wilkinson.
Round two introduced the first eliminations, as teams battled through two words per speller, with the lowest-scoring team being eliminated.
When the dust settled and all was said and done, four teams remained: Richmond University Medical Center, Mid-Island Rotary Club, Northfield Bank, and Checchi Law, LLC.
Teams branch out in groups in order to deliberate. (Courtesy/Frank Wilkinson)Staten Island Advance
The final round was classic spelling-bee drama, each team sending its best speller to the microphone, one word at a time with no safety net.
Richmond University Medical Center, represented by Dr. Philip Otterbeck, Dr. Francesco Rotatori, and Dr. Denise Giachetta-Ryan secured third place after edging out Northfield Bank, setting up a head-to-head showdown between Mid-Island Rotary Club (Laura Zaloom, Debra Denmark, and Linda Aubrey) and Checchi Law, LLC. (Maxine Cheechi, Norma Francullo, and Dennis Surmanek.)
From the left, Dennis Surmanek, the RUMC team that came in third, Dr. Philip Otterbeck, Dr. Francesco Rotatori, and Dr. Denise Giachetta-Ryan, and Ryan Williams. (Courtesy/Frank Wilkinson)Staten Island Advance
Mid-Island Rotary’s final speller stumbled on the word “occurrence,” opening the door for Maxine to clinch the championship.
For more information about the North Shore Rotary Club and its Literacy Campaign, visit sinorthshorerotary.org.
THE NORTH SHORE ROTARY CLUB
Founded in 1957, the North Shore Rotary Club is part of Rotary International’s global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers.
The Club unites to take action across Staten Island and beyond supporting youth, veterans, families in crisis, education, the arts, and global causes like clean water and disease prevention.
For additional information visit sinorthshorerotary.org