Компания The Genesis Group выиграла 35-й корпоративный конкурс орфографии PAVE в Тилере

Local businesses spell out success at PAVE’s 35th annual Corporate Spelling Bee Published 5:45 am Thursday, August 27, 2026 Local businesses traded the boardroom for Broadway on Tuesday to participate in PAVE East Texas’s 35th annual Corporate Spelling Bee. Fourteen teams took the stage at the Green Acres Crosswalk Center for the nonprofit’s signature fundraising event, with The Genesis Group taking home the championship trophy and Trane Technologies coming in as runner-up. Embracing this year’s “Bee on Broadway” theme, teams dressed up as characters from iconic shows such as Annie, Newsies, Mary Poppins, and Wicked. “We like to say it’s not your average luncheon,” said Abby Floyd, Director of Development for PAVE. “It’s definitely more of a game show, but we do have a moment where we kind of stop and really remember the reason that we’re doing this.” The annual spelling bee is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, bringing in essential support for PAVE East Texas as it enters its 36th year. The mission of PAVE (Pathways for Adults Via Education), formerly known as Literacy Council of Tyler, centers on empowering local adults across 14 locations by offering free educational and vocational opportunities. The nonprofit provides personalized one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, computer literacy training, and career path guidance. To date, the program boasts 1,986 enrolled individuals, including 692 ESL learners and 168 GED graduates. PAVE has also covered $22,481 in GED practice test fees and $103,403 in skills training tuition for its students. The impact of those programs was highlighted during the event by PAVE East Texas board member Tony Carrillo Jr., who was featured as a former student who earned his GED through the program in 2000. “There are people right here in Tyler and East Texas who need our help, but that’s why we’re here, to bridge that gap and give them hope,” Floyd said. “Seeing these students and getting to hear their story, it just shows us that we’re here and why we’re doing what we do.” Tuesday’s high-spirited competition featured several notable community leaders. Local attorney and founding PAVE board member Mike Starr served as the pronouncer, while Tyler District 2 Councilmember Petra Hawkins kept time. The judging panel was comprised of Tyler Mayor Stuart Hene and Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley. To navigate the trickiest words, teams utilized tactical perks such as “mulligans” to swap out difficult words and “stinger mulligans” to pass a word off to a rival team. Teams also took advantage of the “Extra Life” — a boost introduced in 2024 that allows an audience member at a company’s table to step in and save their team by correctly spelling a missed word. When the competition narrowed down to the last two teams, a sudden-death tiebreaker challenged spellers to complete as many words as possible within two minutes. Trane Technologies put up an impressive 16 words, but The Genesis Group secured the victory by successfully spelling 18 words. Other teams that participated were Altra Federal Credit Union, Brookshire’s Grocery Company, First Christian Church of Tyler, First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Greater Texas Capital Corporation, Henry & Peters PC, Kelly Community Federal Credit Union, South Tyler Rotary Club, Southside Bank, Squyres & Co., Texas Bank and Trust, and Tyler Junior College. Beyond the main competition, several other participants earned recognition throughout the afternoon. Squyres & Co. took home the Costume Award for their Mary Poppins outfits, while First Christian Church received the Spirit Stick Award for their enthusiasm. Digital participants in the Audience Spell round also got in on the action, competing for prizes which included a year’s worth of Chick-fil-A. “Seeing all the hard work that they put into the costumes and even just how much work they’ve put into spelling the words or remembering the words, just seeing all the passion behind it — that’s my favorite part,” Floyd said. “And that’s seen throughout the entire event.” For more information about PAVE East Texas or to support its programs, visit paveetx.org .