Three U of G staff from the Office of Research won first prize in the annual Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee sponsored by the Rotary Club of Guelph South. Laura Beaupre, Jane Cowell and Steve De Brabandere won the Oct. 21 competition in the 7th round by correctly spelling the word “eosinophil.”

Called the U of G Bees and dressed in Harry Potter gear, the spellers and their teammates were also named top fundraisers; they raised more than $1,900 to support Michael House; Condimentos del Carizal, a small business enterprise in Nicaragua; and other Rotary Club projects.

The fundraising also team included Sara Avoledo, SPARK Program; Shane Bateman, Department of Clinical Studies; Meg Grimes, Office of Research; Suzanne O’Hara, School of Engineering; Richard Puntis, Business Development Office; Holly Sassi, College of Physical and Engineering Science; and Ryan Truscott, Department of Alumni Affairs and Development.

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