Eureka (Dec. 13, 2024) – The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) has been hosting the county spelling bee for 40 years. In honor of our 40th year, the Humboldt County Spelling Bee has been renamed to honor and memorialize Paulette Gilliam.
“As we celebrate 40 years of hosting this event, it is both fitting and a great honor to name the County Spelling Bee after one of HCOE’s most dedicated and student-focused employees, Paulette Gilliam,” said Michael Davies-Hughes, Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools. “Paulette appreciated both the challenge students face in competing as well as the dedication it takes to prepare for success in the County Spelling Bee.”
Paulette worked for HCOE from 1989 – 2017. Her final position was the School Support Department Secretary. For many years, Paulette was the organizing force behind the Humboldt County Spelling Bee. She was known to drive students to the state competition if they couldn’t travel with family members. She is fondly remembered as the “Queen Bee”, and it was one of her favorite events.
“Paulette had a special love for spelling bees, begun when she was the spelling champion at Orick Elementary School,” said retired Director of Instructional Leadership Cheryl Ingham. “It was her mission to ensure every detail of the County bee was unquestionably fair and designed to honor the talent and discipline students exhibited. She personally cared about each and every one of them. A missed word, and a teary retreat to their seats pierced her heart as much as any parent. She was most affectionately known as the Queen Bee by all staff who worked with her for her unfailing devotion to the County Spelling Bee.”
Retired Superintendent of Schools Garry Eagles echoed those sentiments.
“Whenever our local students went on to the state competition and performed successfully, Paulette made sure everyone around the office heard about their achievements the very next day,” he said. “Paulette was as proud as any parent could have been and every student who participated in the Bee knew she was their strongest cheerleader.”
This year HCOE has partnered with Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Paulette Gilliam Spelling Bee Champion will attend the National Competition in National Harbor, Maryland in May of 2025. Twenty regional champions from all over Humboldt County will compete in
the Paulette Gilliam Humboldt County Spelling Bee on February 27 at the Sequoia Conference Center. Per Scripps Spelling Bee guidelines, the Bee will be an oral competition. For more information, please visit https://hcoe.org/spelling-bee/ or contact Stacy Young, Community Outreach and Engagement Director, HCOE, at outreach@hcoe.org or 707-445-7024.