On Thursday, Aug. 28, Lee County Literacy Coalition (LCLC) hosted the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee, an adult spelling bee with the goal of raising awareness for literacy needs in Lee County. The fundraiser brought local businesses together to support LCLC’s mission of providing tutoring and resources to adults who struggle with literacy.
The evening unfolded against the backdrop of light rain at 21 Acres, as guests enjoyed delicious food and craft cocktails from John Emerald Distilling Company. Contestants laughed and cheered at their tables, turning the competition into a festive community gathering from the beginning.
Eight organizations formed teams of two to battle head-to-head in an intense speed-spelling showdown. Southern Union State Community College’s duo of Heather Johnson, a developmental English instructor, and Doss Buckalew, the business department chair, ultimately spelled their way to victory.
In a tight faceoff with Auburn Training Connection, the win came down to every last letter — and even bonus points.
The SU Spelling Squad, from Southern Union State Community College, goes against the clock to see how many words they can spell in The Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee on Aug. 28, 2025.
Contestants, like Johnson and Buckalew, attended the competition to show off their spelling skills and promote the mission of expanding literacy in Alabama. This mission was especially important for Johnson as an english teacher.
“[Literacy] is important for voting, advocacy and to make your voice heard, so I think we should definitely make sure people are literate in financial literacy, digital literacy and more,” Johnson said. “It’s not just reading and writing.”
Many teams were passionate about fighting for literacy. Each team introduced themselves, explained their roles in the community, and detailed their personal connections to LCLC before spelling. Some spellers were former tutors, while others were looking to get involved with the organization for the first time.
State Farm representative Eric McDade spelled for his first year in the spelling bee. Although he works for a nationwide company, McDade’s State Farm of Opelika is committed to promoting literacy for adults in the local area.
“I think we should promote reading more — whether it’s children or adults — because reading is what opens the world up,” McDade said.
LCLC hosts the event annually to maintain its presence in the community and spread awareness about adult illiteracy, an issue more common than many think. Nationwide, 48 million adults read below a third-grade level, including over a million in Alabama and over 30,000 in Lee County.
To combat this, LCLC spreads awareness and provides tutoring needed for those who cannot read, changing lives daily. LCLC also matches adult learners with volunteer tutors through a simple sign-up and meet-and-greet process. Most adult learners range from ages 24-58 but all ages above 18 are welcome.
“Literacy isn’t just reading,” Patricia Butts, LCLC’s executive director, said. “It’s about driver’s ed [too]. If you can’t read, how do you get your driver’s license? [Also] if you can’t read, how do you understand taking your medicine? If you can’t read instructions to apply for a job, how can you get one?”
LCLC's Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee is both a fun community event and a step towards furthering the organization's mission — improving literacy for Lee County adults.
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