The Bruiser Bee, featuring an adult spelling bee, a live auction, a signature cocktail, an after-party with a live DJ and dancing, returns to Girls Preparatory School March 10. The annual community building FUNdraiser, benefits GPS and its students and programs.
Bruiser Bee, which debuted December 2016, returns March 10 at a new venue, The Westin Chattanooga. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the adult team spelling bee starting at 7 p.m.; Survive the Hive after-party runs from 9:30-11 p.m.
Currently, 20 teams of three have signed up to compete, including returning champs Triple Nerd Score. Also prepared to bring their A-game (or rather their ABC-game) are nine teams comprised of GPS parents, three comprised of GPS faculty, and three featuring Chattanooga community nonprofits. Eleven GPS alumnae will compete and one team is even flying in from the Northeast.
Returning to host and emcee is Alison Goldstein Lebovitz, who has never been at a loss for words. For the past nine years, Ms. Lebovitz has hosted “The A List with Alison Lebovitz,” a one-on-one weekly interview series for PBS that features a diverse array of local and national personalities. GPS parents Amy and Ted Arrowsmith serve as Buiser Bee chairs, and Ted is competing as part of team BeeONCe.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and signature cocktail, the Honey Bee Martini, are included in the ticket price, along with admission to the Survive the Hive after-party with cash bar, sponsored by Mountain View Auto Group, plus a discounted rate at The Westin Chattanooga and valet parking. VIP tickets include all the perks of general admission as well as access to the VIP area with open bar and a piece of hand-blown, artisan glassware by local artist Prentice Hicks. The VIP Experience is sponsored by First Tennessee Bank.
Live auction items include: Four tickets to a Taylor Swift concert in Atlanta plus one night’s stay at The Omni Atlanta Hotel CNN Center; a 10-week-old female black labrador retriever puppy, currently named Bruiser; a one-night stay at the St. Regis in Atlanta plus a $250 resort credit; a three-night stay at The Pointe at Baggenstoss Farms on the Cumberland Plateau, with deer and turkey hunting, hiking trails, and skeet shooting from your deck; and more. There will also be a raffle drawing.
All proceeds of from Bruiser Bee will benefit GPS and its students and programs, particularly the financial aid program. Currently, GPS girls come from 33 zip codes, with 40 percent receiving some portion of need-based financial aid. Tickets to Bruiser Bee can be purchased online at BruiserBee.com.
For more information, contact Pamela Hammonds, senior writer, at 634-7652 or phammonds@gps.edu.