Registration for up to five participants in the JCEF Spelling Bee hosted at Deep River Brewing Company. Registration helps support the students and teachers of Johnston County while providing your team access to a fun, high-energy evening of competition and networking.

Each team receives official participation for up to five people, recognition during the event, promotions and social media shoutouts.

In celebration of America's 250th Birthday, teams are encouraged to show their patriotic spirit and compete for our Best Team Spirit Award! Enjoy a lively atmosphere featuring local food trucks and community engagement!

Below are some answers to FAQ:

How the Competition Works

Each team will begin the competition with three (3) balloons.
Your balloons represent your team's opportunity to continue competing throughout the event.
If your team misspells a word and chooses not to buy the word, one balloon will be popped and your team's play for that round will end.

There will be:

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Championship Round

When all three balloons have been popped, your team is eliminated from the competition. Teams with balloons remaining may continue competing in future rounds.

Team Participation

• Each participant will receive a notepad and pencil.
• Teams may work together and discuss each word.
• One team member will serve as the Official Recorder and write the team's final answer on the Answer Sheet.
• Only the answer written on the Answer Sheet will be judged.

Word Presentation

For every word:

1. The Pronouncer will pronounce the word.
2. The Pronouncer will provide the definition.
3. The Pronouncer will use the word in a sentence.
4. Teams will then have 30 seconds to discuss and write their answer.

When the Emcee calls "Pencils Down," all writing must stop.

Correct Answers

If your team spells the word correctly:
✅ You remain in the round.
✅ You keep all of your balloons.

Missed Words
If your team misspells a word, you have two choices:

Option 1: Buy the Word

• Make a $20 donation to buy the missed word.
• Your team stays in the round.
• Your balloon is saved.
• Teams may purchase a 3-word package before the competition begins.

Option 2: Do Not Buy the Word

• The Bee will pop one of your balloons.
• Your team's play for that round ends immediately.
• If you still have balloons remaining, you may return and play in the next round.

Buy Words

If your team misspells a word and would like to buy it, simply raise the red BUY WORD flag located at your table.

A volunteer will come to your table to collect your donation before the Bee pops your balloon.

Word Purchases

• Rounds 1–4: $20 donation per word
• Teams may also purchase a 3-word package before the competition begins
• Championship Round: $40 donation per word
• Pre-purchased word packages may not be used during the Championship Round

If a team chooses not to raise the red BUY WORD flag, the Bee will pop one balloon and the team's play for that round will end immediately.

Balloons

Each team begins the competition with three (3) balloons.
The balloons represent your team's standing in the competition. If your team misspells a word and chooses not to buy the word:

• The Bee will pop one balloon.
• Your team's play for that round ends immediately.
• You may return and compete in the next round if you still have balloons remaining.

How long your team remains in a round depends on when you misspell a word.

Some teams may remain active for an entire round, while others may be eliminated earlier in the round.

When all three balloons have been popped, your team is eliminated from the competition.

The goal is to have as many balloons remaining as possible as you advance through the rounds and into the Championship Round.

Championship Round

After Round 4, any team that still has at least one balloon remaining will advance to the Championship Round.

Championship Round words are worth more!

• Teams may continue to buy missed words during the Championship Round.
• Championship Round word purchases are $40 per word.
• Pre-purchased word packages may not be used during the Championship Round.
• If a team chooses not to buy the word, a balloon will be popped.
• When a team's final balloon is popped, that team is eliminated.

The last team with balloons remaining will be crowned the JCEF Stars, Stripes, and Spelling Champs!.

Can't form a team but still want to support the Bee?
Become a Community Sponsor!

Show your support for public education in Johnston County by becoming a Community Sponsor of the Johnston County Education Foundation Adult Spelling Bee.

Your sponsorship helps fund Foundation programs and initiatives that benefit Johnston County teachers and students, while providing your organization with recognition before and during the event.

Community Sponsors receive:

• Recognition on event signage
• Recognition in the event program
• Recognition on JCEF social media
• Recognition on the Johnston County Education Foundation website

Your support makes a lasting impact by helping JCEF provide grants, scholarships, and other educational opportunities that strengthen our schools and community.

A Buy Word allows your team to keep your balloon if you misspell a word during

Rounds 1–4. Instead of losing a balloon, you can use one of your pre-purchased Buy Words and stay in the game.

• 3 Buy-a-Words – $50 (Save $10!)

Each Buy Word may be used one time and only after your team misspells a word. Teams can choose when to use them during the first four rounds. Any unused Buy-a-Words do not carry over after the event.

Don't wait until game day—save money by purchasing a bundle of three for $50!

Buy Words can be used at any time during Rounds 1–4 to keep your balloon from being popped. (Championship Round Buy-a-Words are available for $40 each.)

A Buy Word allows your team to keep your balloon if you misspell a word during
Rounds 1–4. Instead of losing a balloon, you can use one of your pre-purchased Buy Words and stay in the game.

• 1 Buy-a-Word – $20

Each Buy Word may be used one time and only after your team misspells a word. Teams can choose when to use them during the first four rounds. Any unused Buy-a-Words do not carry over after the event.