Foundation challenges community to use brains for a cause
By Hilary Shepard Contributing Writer

Westborough - The Westborough Education Foundation (WEF) has decided to change things up a bit. After six highly successful years of raising money through a spelling bee, WEF is hosting its first-ever Trivia Bee, at 6:30 p.m. Monday October 15, at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough.

"The bee has always been a great community event that attracts hundreds of participants and audience members," said Judy Martin, WEF presi- dent and co-chair of this year's bee. "By switching from spelling to a focus on trivia, we hope to attract some new teams as well as engage all of our traditional sponsors in something a little fresh."

Three-person teams will compete in the bee for community bragging rights and a trophy, in areas including history, geography, the arts, literature, sports, famous people, pop culture, Westborough history and Boston sports.

Teams will compete against each other in several rounds, in order to qualify for the championship round. In the final round, similar to many TV game shows, teams will be able to use "Lifelines" to call on members of the audience for assistance.

Several spots are opened. For $350, groups or individuals can sponsor a team, and can choose their own members, or request trivia buff s from the school administration, faculty, students, or any other community organization. Many area businesses and organizations have already sponsored teams.

All proceeds will go to WEF, which annually awards grants to teachers across the Westborough school system to develop creative programs in literature and language, the arts, social studies, science, math and physical education. Grants support programs at all age levels for initiatives that are outside the scope of the School Department's budget.

Past grants have included funds for the authorship of an alphabet book that celebrates Westborough history for third-graders, multicultural books and learning tools for an English Language Learner program, a high school chemistry program that blends commerce and science to create plans for a soap business, an elementary school program focused on world religions and a dance program designed to engage students in physical activity.

Past spelling bees have raised tens of thousands of dollars for programs such as these, and WEF hopes their inaugural Trivia Bee will be as successful so it can continue to fund these enrichment programs in Westborough's school system.

The Trivia Bee will preserve many features from past Spelling Bees: Dennis O'Neil will again serve as master of ceremonies and Town Moderator Joseph Harrington will move from the role of "word pronouncer" to "question asker."

According to WEF, teams are "very much encouraged to let their personalities show and dress in costume" to compete for the "Best Spirit" and "Best Costume" awards.

Adults and children are invited to attend the event for free, and are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that will be off ered to benefit WEF, including an auction and raffle. Food and music will also be provided.

Contact Judy Martin at 508-366-5439 or Maria De- Vouno at 508-366-4210 for more information about sponsoring a team. For Trivia Bee volunteer opportunities, contact Maureen Johnson at 505-366-6326 or Margot Walthall at 781-507-6511.