Comprehensive Youth Development invites you to our
6th Annual Spelling Bee for Grownups!
Spring 2024 Fundraiser
Tuesday, May 21, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd St
How do you spell
P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N?
Our students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college, training programs, and employment because of the intensive preparation CYD provides, from practice interviews to digital literacy instruction. Your support goes directly to these services for more than 3,500 underserved young people in NYC public schools.
How do you spell
P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N??
Our students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college, training programs, and employment because of the intensive preparation CYD provides, from practice interviews to digital literacy instruction. Your support goes directly to these services for more than 3,500 underserved young people in NYC public schools.
Join us on May 21st!
For sponsorships and tickets
Make a bee-line for the buffet, the marga-bee-tas, and the competitive butchering of the English language!
Student rounds, where student champions from our schools vie for first place
Adult rounds with trophies for the winning spellers and everyone at their tables
A sumptuous buffet and open bar featuring our signature marga-bee-ta cocktail
An un-bee-lievable amount of fun
Make a bee-line for the buffet, the marga-bee-tas, and the
competitive butchering of the English language!
Student rounds, where student champions from our schools vie for first place
Adult rounds with trophies for the winning spellers and everyone at their tables
A sumptuous buffet and open bar featuring our signature marga-bee-ta cocktail
An un-bee-lievable amount of fun
Join us on May 21st!
For sponsorships and tickets
Corporate Sponsorships
QUEEN BEES
$25,000
Underwrite the event so that CYD can help more young people graduate and make informed decisions about life after high school
You get:
Two premium tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of the student Spelling Bee championship
Verbal recognition in the Executive Director’s remarks
Preferred logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Feature in the event press release
A commemorative plaque
Buffet and open bar
BEE KEEPERS
$15,000
Help CYD change futures for underserved students through free one-on-one college and career advising
You get:
Two tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of a table of teachers from our partner high schools
Verbal recognition in the Executive Director’s remarks
Logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
THE BEE’S KNEES
$10,000
Help CYD address students’ social and emotional needs through wraparound support services
You get:
Two tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of a table of students from our partner high schools
Verbal recognition in the speaking program
Logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
HONEY BEES
$5,000
Help CYD support academic tutoring and translation services for immigrant students
You get:
One table (8 people) and one teams.
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
BEE-LIEVERS
$2,500
Help CYD meet the emergency needs of our students
You get:
Half a table (4 people), making up a team with the rest of your table
Buffet and open bar
Corporate Sponsorships
QUEEN BEES
$25,000
Underwrite the event so that CYD can help more young people graduate and make informed decisions about life after high school
You get:
Two premium tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of the student Spelling Bee championship
Verbal recognition in the Executive Director’s remarks
Preferred logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Feature in the event press release
A commemorative plaque
Buffet and open bar
BEE KEEPERS
$15,000
Help CYD change futures for underserved students through free one-on-one college and career advising
You get:
Two tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of a table of teachers from our partner high schools
Verbal recognition in the Executive Director’s remarks
Logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
THE BEE’S KNEES
$10,000
Help CYD address students’ social and emotional needs through wraparound support services
You get:
Two tables (16 people) and two teams
Sponsorship of a table of students from our partner high schools
Verbal recognition in the speaking program
Logo/name listing on the event website
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
HONEY BEES
$5,000
Help CYD support academic tutoring and translation services for immigrant students
You get:
One table (8 people) and one teams.
Logo/name in print and digital materials
Buffet and open bar
BEE-LIEVERS
$2,500
Help CYD meet the emergency needs of our students
You get:
Half a table (4 people), making up a team with the rest of your table
Buffet and open bar
Sponsor the Spelling Bee for Grownups!
Join past sponsors:
Join past sponsors:
Individual Tickets
POLLINATORS
Individual Supporter $250
Bring friends and we’ll seat you together or come by yourself and we’ll seat you at a great table. Your table picks your 3-member team.
You get:
One ticket
Buffet and open bar
PART OF THE HIVE
Can’t join us for the event but want to support CYD’s students?
Individual Tickets
POLLINATORS
Individual Supporter $250
Bring friends and we’ll seat you together or come by yourself and we’ll seat you at a great table. Your table picks your 3-member team. You get:
One ticket
Buffet and open bar
PART OF THE HIVE
Can’t join us for the event but want to support CYD’s students? Make a contribution!
I want to bee involved!
For sponsorships and tickets
Want further information?
Contact Rebekah Wellons at rebekahwellons@cydnyc.org
I want to bee involved!
For sponsorships and tickets
Want further information?
Contact Rebekah Wellons at rebekahwellons@cydnyc.org
How does it work?
Your table picks 3 people to compete. If they win, everyone at your table goes home with a trophy.
What do I get if I win?
Bragging rights and a coveted Bee Trophy, suitable for a place of honor on your desk, mantel, or in the guest bathroom.
I don’t have a full table – is that okay?
Absolutely! We’ll seat you at a great table and you can help select your team members.
I won’t be able to come but I’d like to help.
Thank you! You can make a contribution by clicking here.
Spelling was never my best subject.
Join the club! But that doesn’t stop anyone from trying. That’s what makes this event so much fun. We even have a trophy for Most Creative Speller. The whole point is to have a good time while helping CYD students graduate prepared for life after high school.
What else do I need to know?
It’s fun, it’s lively! A delicious buffet and frosty cocktails. It’s a wonderful way to introduce friends and colleagues to CYD. And best of all, your contribution ensures that CYD students get the support they need to graduate and succeed in higher education, training, and employment.
How does it work?
Your table picks 3 people to compete. If they win, everyone at your table goes home with a trophy.
I don’t have a full table – is that okay?
Absolutely! We’ll seat you at a great table and you can help select your team members.
Spelling was never my best subject.
Join the club! But that doesn’t stop anyone from trying. That’s what makes this event so much fun. We even have a trophy for Most Creative Speller. The whole point is to have a good time while helping CYD students graduate prepared for life after high school.
What do I get if I win?
Bragging rights and a coveted Bee Trophy, suitable for a place of honor on your desk, mantel, or in the guest bathroom.
I won’t be able to come but I’d like to help.
Thank you! You can make a contribution by clicking here.
What else do I need to know?
It’s fun, it’s lively! A delicious buffet and frosty cocktails. It’s a wonderful way to introduce friends and colleagues to CYD. And best of all, your contribution ensures that CYD students get the support they need to graduate and succeed in higher education, training, and employment.
Board of Directors
Dean Backer
Partner, Goldman Sachs
John Baumgartner
Managing Director, Equity Research – Food & Healthy Living, Mizuho Securities USA
Nathan Bond
Artist | Educator | Advocate
Michael Braun, Vice Chair
Founder & CEO, Braun Business Management, Inc.
Clara Brooks
Director, National Manager, Investment & Fiduciary Oversight, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
SoVonna Day-Goins, Chair
Founder & CEO, Women X Meta
Tyler Duff
Vice President, Fixed Income Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley
Mauricio Espinosa
Managing Partner, Cleardusk LP
Jeffrey S. Hellman
Senior Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, PVH Corp.
Jacquelyn A. Krese, Treasurer
America’s Head of Capital Markets, BlackRock
Katie Karoll Lavino
Managing Director, Investment Grade Syndicate, Mizuho Americas
Stephen Mahadeo
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Michael F. Melcher
CEO, M2Leaders
Jessica M. Phillips
Managing Director, Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Michael A. Roberts, Secretary
Executive Director, CYD
Maggie McLean Suniewick
Chief Administrative Officer, Standard Industries
Andrew Wang
CFO, Uncommon Goods
MCNDHS Class of 1999
Ramey Watkins
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Board of Advisors
David Bolotsky, Chair
Founder & CEO, Uncommon Goods
Gregory P. Cohen
Retired, CYD Founding Executive Director
Pamela Craig
President, Women’s Forum of New York, Director: Corning, Merck, Progressive
Howard A. Friedman
Founder & Principal Emeritus, Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School
Michael Koester
Co-Founder, 5C Investment Partners
Carolyn Risoli
President, CRisoli Consulting
Kevin E. Walker
President & CEO, Duquesne Light