ST. PETERSBURG — The Friends of the James Weldon Johnson Branch Community Library held its 7th Annual Spelling Bee Wed., June 24 for school aged youth entering first through sixth grades, and it was a sweet success!
There were over 30 contestants and a standing room only audience. Spelling is only one third of the Summer Bees; the remaining portions are geography and mathematics. The spirit of the Bees is to encourage learning and studying during the summer as well as promoting literacy.
This year for the first time the Friends, which include volunteers from the community and partnership with the Johnson Branch Library staff, offered volunteer-based tutoring for participants during the week leading up to the Bees. The Masonic Lodge #109 contributed gift cards to the cause and members were present to distribute them to the first, second and third place winners of the three different grade-based categories.
The Friends of the James Weldon Johnson Branch Community Library also celebrate literacy with an annual Literacy Festival in March behind the library, which is located at 1059 18th Ave S, St. Petersburg.
