The 35th Annual Corporate Spelling Bee!
The spotlight was shining on August 25, 2026, as PAVE East Texas hosted its 35th Annual Corporate Spelling Bee at the Green Acres Crosswalk Center!
Fourteen teams from local businesses and organizations took the stage for our “Bee on Broadway,” bringing impressive spelling skills, creative costumes, and plenty of team spirit.
Squyres & Co. took home the Costume Award with its practically perfect Mary Poppins theme.
First Presbyterian Church brought the buzz and earned the Spirit Stick for the third year in a row!
The competition ended with an exciting showdown between Genesis Group and Trane Technologies. In the final 90-second round, Genesis Group correctly spelled an impressive 18 words to retain the championship trophy and keep its winning streak alive!
As PAVE East Texas’s signature fundraising event, the Corporate Spelling Bee helps support programs that empower adults to earn their GEDs, improve their English, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
We are so grateful to our sponsors, teams, volunteers, and community members who made this year’s Bee one for the books (or should we say, the dictionary)?
That’s a wrap on this year’s Bee, and we can’t wait to see what all the buzz will be about in 2027!
Watch the 2026 Spelling Bee
2026 Spelling Bee Photos
2026 Bee Committee
Ikey Eason
Danny Gamez
Matt Horton
Pam Lisner
Mike Patterson
Candace Polk
Jordan Sherrod
Mary Lynn Smith
Becky Steph
Ivette Zavarce
2026 Spelling Bee Sponsors
Queen Bee Sponsors
Michelle and Tim Brookshire
Dr. D.M. Edwards
A.S. Genecov Foundation
Margaret and Jim Perkins / Citizens 1st Bank
Special Sponsorships
Spirit Stick Sponsor
Southside Bank
Costume Award Sponsor
Dr. D. M. Edwards
Student Spotlight Sponsor
Greater Texas Capital Corporation*
Audience Spell Sponsor
Chick-fil-A
In-Kind Livestream
Jordan Sherrod
Honey Bee Sponsors
Cavender’s
Chick-fil-A
Greater Texas Capital Corporation*
The Hoeffner Foundation
First Christian Church - Tyler*
First Presbyterian Church*
Paschall Health Insurance
Regions Bank
Southside Bank*
Trane Technologies*
Worker Bee Sponsors
Altra Federal Credit Union*
Austin Bank
Brookshire Grocery Company*
Cintra Realty Group
Dr. Laura Ferguson and Travis Floyd
Genesis Group*
Henry & Peters, P.C.*
Higginbotham
Deb and Bob Hulse
Kelly Community Federal Credit Union*
Pam and Tracy Lisner
Maya Properties
Mosaic Automation, Inc.
Parker Bunt & Ainsworth, P.C.
Penny and Mike Patterson
Cathy Shipp & Associates Realty
Root Construction
Sue Saxenmeyer
Mary Lynn and Roger Smith
South Tyler Rotary Club*
Squyres & Co.*
Becky Steph
Texas Bank and Trust*
The Tyler Referral Network
Tyler Junior College*
Tyler Tabernacle
The University of Texas at Tyler
Beehive Sponsors
Cooperative Teachers Credit Union
D&N Grocery
East Texas Communities Foundation
Flourish
Potter Minton, P.C.
Bonnie and Rick Rayford
Romph and Pou Agency
Sigler & Co.
Candace Polk and Grant Wheat
Word Bee Sponsors
Allen & Thauwald, P.C.
Anonymous
Wendy and Steve Bratteli
Cendera Bank
Clear Choice Outdoor
Ann and Virgil Curry
CWJ Strategies
East Texas Communities Foundation
East Texas State Fair
Files Harrison & Millslagle P.C.
Nez Gross
Cherie and Nathan Kelley
Steven Lander
Office Pride of Tyler
Prothro Wilhelmi and Co., PLLC
Deborah and Mark Race
Friendly Bee Sponsors
Express Employment Professionals
Lisa and Gary Gross
*participating as a team in the Spelling Bee