2026 Spelling Bee
COMING SOON…
Comprehensive Youth Development's
8th Annual Spelling Bee
for Grownups Fundraiser!
Tuesday, June 2 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Bohemian National Hall | 321 East 73rd St
How do you spell
P-O-S-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y?
CYD’s students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college, training programs, and employment, because of the intensive and individualized college and career services CYD provides. We also help students address barriers that can stand in the way of success with counseling, medical and housing referrals, and connections to pro bono attorneys.
CYD doesn’t just prepare students for what’s next — we expand what they believe is possible.
Your support goes directly to these services for more than 2,500 underserved young people in NYC public schools.
JOIN US ON JUNE 2 FOR:
- The finals of the CYD Student Spelling Bee, where champions from our schools vie for first place
- A spirited competition among guests, with trophies and bragging rights for the winning teams
- Sumptuous bites and an open bar featuring our signature Marga-Bee-Ta cocktail
- An un-BEE-lievable amount of fun!
SPONSORSHIPS
All sponsors’ logos/names will be featured in event materials including signage, social media, and press.
Each table selects 3 people to represent them in the Adult Spelling Bee!
QUEEN BEE $25,000
Underwrite the event so that CYD can help more young people make informed decisions about life after high school.
- Two tables (16 guests)
- Sponsorship of the student Spelling Bee championship
- Recognition at the event, including Queen Bee trophy
BEE KEEPER $15,000
Support one-on-one college advising.
- Two tables (16 guests)
- Sponsorship of a table of teachers from our partner high schools
THE BEE'S KNEES $10,000
Support students’ career exploration and skills training.
- Two tables (16 guests)
HONEY BEE $5,000
Support digital literacy training.
- One tables (8 guests)
BEE-LIEVER $2,500
Provide for students’ emergency needs to address food insecurity, housing and immigration needs.
- Half table (4 guests)
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $250
Sit with friends or meet new ones!
For more information, please contact Megan Campbell, Director of Development, at megancampbell@cydnyc.org or 917-796-6571.
Comprehensive Youth Development invites you to our
7th Annual Spelling Bee for Grownups!
Spring 2025 Fundraiser
Donate to the Bee
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Host and Bee Master
Emmy Award-winning journalist,
talk show host, and author
Cheryl Wills
How do you spell
O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y?
Comprehensive Youth Development partners with NYC public high schools to prepare young people to succeed in higher education and employment by providing free on-site college and career advising, social and academic support services, career exposure, and workplace skills instruction. All proceeds from the Spelling Bee for Grownups go directly toward services for more than 3,000 underserved young people.
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QUEEN BEE sponsorship includes:
– 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
BEE KEEPER sponsorship includes:
– 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
The BEE’S KNEES sponsorship includes:
– 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
HONEY BEE sponsorship includes:
– One table (8 people) and one teams.
– Logo/name in print and digital materials
BEE-LIEVER sponsorship includes:
– Half a table (4 people), and participation on a team
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS:
– 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.
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Absolutely! We’ll seat you at a great table and you can help select your team members.
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.
Bragging rights and a coveted Bee Trophy, suitable for a place of honor on your desk, mantel, or in the guest bathroom.
Thank you! You can make a contribution by clicking here and scrolling down to the “Donation” section.
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
Goldman Sachs
Michael Braun, Vice Chair
Braun Business Management, Inc.
Clara Brooks
BNY Wealth
Kermitt Brooks
Guardian Life
SoVonna Day-Goins, Chair
Women X Meta
Tyler Duff
Morgan Stanley
Jeffrey S. Hellman
PVH Corp.
Jacquelyn A. Krese
Wells Fargo
Katie Karoll Lavino
Mizuho Americas
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
Executive Director, CYD
Melissa Wengroff Spencerk
Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations Global Alternative Investment Solutions, J.P. Morgan
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
Make a bee-line for the buffet, the marga-bee-tas, and the
competitive butchering of the English language!
Donate to the Bee
Want further information?
Contact Megan Campbell, Director of Development: megancampbell@cydnyc.org
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Bee Keeper
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The Bee’s Knees
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Honey Bees
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Bee-lievers
Join Our Sponsors:
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Honey Bees
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Bee-lievers
