Welcome to the 2026 JCEF Adult Spelling Bee!
This is a Fun Community Event that Raises Money to Support
Johnston County Public Schools Students and Teachers.
You Can Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Below:
Welcome to the 2026 JCEF Adult Spelling Bee!
This is a Fun Community Event that Raises Money to Support
Johnston County Public Schools Students and Teachers.
You Can Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Below:
The 2026 JCEF Adult Spelling Bee will be held at Deep River Brewing Company on Thursday, September 3.
📍 Deep River Brewing Company, 700 W Main St #102, Clayton, NC 27520
🚪 Doors Open: 5:00 PM
🐝 Spelling Bee Begins: 6:00 PM
Each participant will receive a notepad and pencil. Teams may work together, discuss each word, and write down possible spellings. One team member will serve as the Official Recorder and write the team's final answer on the Answer Sheet. Only the answer written on the Answer Sheet will be judged.
Each word will be pronounced by the Pronouncer.
The Pronouncer will provide the definition of the word.
The Pronouncer will use the word in a sentence.
After the pronunciation, definition, and sentence have been given, the 30 second time period will begin for round ONE, 45 second time period for round TWO and THREE, and 60 second time period for round FOUR
Teams may request that the word be repeated once before the timer begins.
Judges will be assigned to specific tables.
Following each word, judges will review the team's official written answer.
Judges will mark answers as correct or incorrect before the next word is announced.
Judges' decisions are final.
Each participant will receive a notepad and pencil. Teams may work together, discuss each word, and write down possible spellings. One team member will serve as the Official Recorder and write the team's final answer on the Answer Sheet. Only the answer written on the Answer Sheet will be judged.
For every word, the Pronouncer will:
Pronounce the word
Provide the definition
Use the word in a sentence
Teams will then have 30 seconds to discuss and write their answer for Round One, 45 seconds to discuss and write their answers for Round Two and Three, and 60 seconds to discuss and write their answers for Round Four.
When the Emcee calls "Pencils Down," all writing must stop.
If your team spells the word correctly:
You remain in the round.
You keep all of your balloons.
If you misspell a word, you are not immediately eliminated. Instead, you have two options:
Make a $20 donation to buy the missed word.
Your team stays in the round.
Your balloon is saved.
Teams may purchase a 3-word package before the competition begins.
The Bee will pop one of your balloons.
Your team's play for that round ends immediately.
If you still have balloons remaining, you may return and play in the next round.
*Contestants remain in the Spelling Bee as long as they have at least one balloon remaining. A contestant is eliminated only when all of their balloons have been lost.
Each team begins the competition with three balloons.
The goal is to save as many balloons as possible throughout the competition.
If your team misspells a word and chooses not to buy it:
The Bee will pop one balloon.
Your team's play for that round ends immediately.
You may return and compete in the next round if you still have balloons remaining.
How long your team stays in a round depends on when you misspell a word.
When all three balloons have been popped, your team is eliminated from the competition.
*Contestants remain in the Spelling Bee as long as they have at least one balloon remaining. A contestant is eliminated only when all of their balloons have been lost.
How does my team "Buy Words"?
If your team misspells a word and would like to buy it, simply raise the red BUY WORD flag located at your table.
A volunteer will come to your table to collect your donation before the Bee pops your balloon.
Rounds 1–4: $20 donation per word
Teams may also purchase a 3-word package before the competition begins
Championship Round: $40 donation per word
Pre-purchased word packages may not be used during the Championship Round
If a team chooses not to raise the red BUY WORD flag, the Bee will pop one balloon and the team's play for that round will end immediately.
Championship Round words are worth more.
Teams may continue to buy missed words.
Championship Round word purchases are $40 per word.
Pre-purchased word packages may not be used during the Championship Round.
If a team chooses not to buy the word, a balloon will be popped.
When a team's final balloon is popped, that team is eliminated.
The last team with balloons remaining will be crowned the JCEF Stars, Stripes, and Spelling Champs!
Absolutely not! This event is all about teamwork, community, and supporting JCPS students and teachers. Gather your friends, coworkers, family members, or organization and come have fun for a great cause.
Every registration, sponsorship, donation, and word purchase helps support the Johnston County Education Foundation's mission of enhancing educational opportunities for JCPS students and teachers.
Funds raised through the JCEF Adult Spelling Bee help provide:
Classroom grants
Teacher innovation projects
Student enrichment opportunities
Educational resources and programs
Best of all, every dollar raised stays local and directly benefits Johnston County Public Schools.
By participating, you're not just joining a fun community event, you're helping create opportunities that make a lasting impact in our schools.
After Round 4, any team that still has at least one balloon remaining will advance to the Championship Round. Competition will continue until only one team remains.
The last team with at least one balloon remaining will be declared the Stars, Stripes, and Spelling Champs!