Washington, IA (May 19, 2016) – For the second year in a row the United Presbyterian Home ‘NuStepping to End Alzheimer’s’ Team held a spelling bee to raise awareness and money for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Spelling Bee was held on Friday, May 13, and had 13 participants. Dorothy Koehler was the winner after 82 words and 13 rounds with second place going to Gwen Ying.
The words residents had to spell started with easier words such as “odd” and “alive” and progressively got harder with words such as “embarrass”, “cemetery”, “ambivalence”, and “quixotic”. A fun second round took place where nine residents spelled all 50 states. The day raised $85.00 which will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of the UP Home’s NuStepping to End Alzheimer’s –The Longest Day Team.
Just a quick note on why the spelling bee? With the old “use it or lose it” theory in mind, the group wanted to offer an activity that would help people stay intellectually engaged. They know that exercising the body is important to fend off dementia as well as exercising the brain-you have to BEE active body, mind and spirit!!