Keokee claims spelling bee title

SANDPOINT — It wasn’t just about spelling this year, as the quasi-serious Adult Spelling Bee turned into a talent show.

Before the bee started, defending champions, Keokee Creative Group decried the accusation that they bribed the judges last year but still gave their 2009 Best Costume award to the Wells Fargo Team.

The Panhandle Alliance for Education team arrived with its own cheer squad, which entertained contestants and viewers by singing parodies every round.

The competition was stiff. Nine teams participated and very slowly were eliminated by very tough words. Keokee Creative Group held on to its championship for another year and will proudly display the Bragging Rights Trophy.

David Keyes, Daily Bee publisher and emcee, reminded the audience that all the money raised will benefit Newspaper in Education. “It’s all for the kids,” Keyes said and created the evening’s mantra.

The phrase was chanted throughout the night — helping raise more than $2,000 for the program, which delivers newspapers into local classrooms..

Congratulations to all the teams: Keokee, Century 21 who took home costume honors this year, AmericanWest Bank, Sandpoint Charter School, Wells Fargo Bank, Panhandle Alliance for Education, Bonner County Library, Washington School and Bonner County Daily Bee.