BALTIMORE, MD— Now in its third year, the annual Baltimore Bee co-sponsored by Educate Online and Ravens TE Daniel Wilcox's foundation, Empowerment M.I.N.D.S., will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. on the campus of Towson University. Students competing in the Bee will be recognized at the Baltimore Bee Stars Banquet on Friday, March 14, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The 2008 Baltimore Bee was expanded to include Baltimore City and County middle school students. Baltimore students who won their school bee competitions will compete to represent Baltimore at the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Students will be recognized at the 2008 Baltimore Bee Stars Banquet. The event is being hosted at Towson University in the University Union Chesapeake Room. Invited guests included students, their families, school administrators and Baltimore Ravens players. The program will feature students receiving their certificates of participation and speakers, including Wilcox.
"We are now in our third year, and we are so excited to have Baltimore County students now participating in the Bee. Schools and students now look forward to the Bee and we have received tremendous support from the Baltimore community and media," said Raquel Whiting, Senior Director of Business and Community Development for Educate Online. "Last year we had a representative from Baltimore in the national spelling bee, and we are so proud of all the students who worked so hard to compete in the Bee. It is so rewarding to highlight the students of Baltimore and accomplish our goal of sending a student to the Scripps National Spelling Bee."
"The Baltimore Bee has become a signature event for the Baltimore community," added Daniel Wilcox. "Providing the community with opportunities and hope is my mission, and the Bee is an example of students recognizing their potential and seeking more. I am so proud of all of the students who participated in their school spelling bee competitions and the Baltimore Bee."
For more information, you may also visit www.baltimorebee.com. About Educate Online
Educate Online is the nation's leading provider of personalized, online, after-school tutoring. We serve economically disadvantaged and academically at-risk students through the federally funded No Child Left Behind Act. Our program is taught by state-certified teachers from the safety and convenience of each student's home, on a computer we provide free of charge. When students successfully complete our program, they earn the right to keep their computer. Our unique approach helps students overcome academic challenges, and just as importantly, places technology in the homes of low-income students throughout the country. To date, Educate Online has provided tutoring to more than 25,000 students nationwide. In addition, Educate Online is partnering with the National Football League Players Association to communicate this message to families across America.
About Empowerment M.I.N.D.S.
Daniel Wilcox is the founder of the Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. Foundation where he partners with Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant of the Empowerment Temple. (Empowerment MINDS – "Motivating and Inspiring Neighborhoods Determined to Succeed") Empowerment MINDS' mission is to open up the horizons of disadvantaged youth in the inner city. Wilcox founded Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. because he is passionate about providing young people with growth and learning opportunities that inspire them to set higher goals and expectations for themselves. The Foundation partners with schools and community based organizations to set up programs to increase youth access to reading materials, technology, and cultural opportunities. The Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. Foundation is also the co-sponsor of the Baltimore Bee, an annual citywide spelling bee for middle school students in Baltimore City, www.baltimorebee.com. Over 52 schools participate in this event and the 1st place winner receives a brand new Dell computer. In 2007 the winner of the Baltimore Bee represented Baltimore at the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
