2023 Spelling Bee: How do You Spell Community?
CYD’s 5th Annual Spelling Bee for Grownups fundraiser brought together over 140 members of our community – board members, staff, students, and supporters – for a fun and memorable night of competition and celebration! Best of all, we successfully raised funds that will directly benefit the young people we serve.
Bee Master Andrea Joyce of NBC Sports Group expertly led those who were brave enough to take the stage try their hand at spelling words from “focaccia” to “latitudinarian.”
Executive Director Michael Roberts and Board Chair SoVonna Day-Goins hosted the evening. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet and frosty marga-bee-tas.
A highlight of the event was hearing from alumni who vividly described the impact that CYD has, and how it has inspired them to help other young people in turn.
“I am forever grateful for what CYD has done for me. And I am just one of thousands of students they’ve helped. It’s an honor to serve on the CYD Board.”
Andy Wang
1999 MCNDHS graduate & CYD Board Member
CFO of Uncommon Goods
“When I first came to CYD, my English was not good. Now I’m tutoring new asylum seekers there while I go to college. I really enjoy it because I get to help people who are in the position I was in when I arrived.”
Jesus Bueno-Martinez
2022 MCNDHS graduate
Baruch College student
“A lot of young single moms like me don’t have a helping hand or a sponsored program – or that $2.75 for a MetroCard. The CYD Career Academy was there for me every step of the way. Now I’m a head Certified Medical Assistant and I do the hiring!”
Katherine Yagual
2012 HPHS & 2019 CYD Career Academy graduate
Certified Medical Assistant & LaGuardia Community College student
Congratulations to the Student Bee Champions!
Winning word: Disperse
First Place: The Bee-lievers from The High School for Health Professions and Human Services
Second Place: Bee Best from Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School
Third Place: Beta from Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School
Congratulations to the Adult Bee Champions!
Winning word: Surimi
First Place: The NYC Writers Collective Beehaviorists
Second Place: Bee Stingers sponsored by Women X Meta
Third Place: The Honey Mamas sponsored by Jackie Krese Family
Thank you to our Bee Sponsors who made it all possible!
