Every August, Kurtious pours his heart into organizing the Annual Aunt Lize Spelling Bee for the students of Albion Mountain in St. Mary’s, Jamaica. This event, held in honor of his late great-grandmother Aunt Lize, is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of learning, community, and a way to get students and families excited for the new school year. Each year, 30 to 40 students from elementary, middle, and high school gather to compete, encouraged by the school supplies they receive for participating: backpacks, pencils, pens, sharpeners, erasers, notebooks, crayons, rulers, etc. Every participant receives a meal, and their families are invited to join in the festivities, making it a true community event. The spelling bee always ends with a fun dance battle!
Kurtious funds and organizes every detail himself, hiring local chefs to prepare lunch, a DJ to MC the event, and craftsmen to build the stage at the school. He rents chairs from local vendors, ensuring the event supports the community in more ways than one. The top spellers in each age group are gifted: a laptop for first place, a 13-inch tablet for second, a 10-inch tablet for third. The impact is lasting; students return year after year, and heartfelt letters of thanks have come in from kids and families who cherish the supplies and encouragement. The school principal expresses deep gratitude for the support, especially in a rural area where resources are scarce.
This GoFundMe is created to help Kurtious continue this tradition and ease the financial burden of hosting the Aunt Lize Spelling Bee. Your support will provide school supplies, meals, and prizes, and help inspire a new generation of students to take pride in their education. Thank you for helping make a difference in Albion Mountain.
