Spelling bees are a quintessential part of the public school experience for children growing up. Some kids excelled, some kids got out on the word ‘sinew,’ such as eighth grader, Anthony Sanders at St. Beatrice Catholic School in Schiller Park.

Now 22, Sanders is hosting a spelling bee Jan. 29, but it’s not just for 3rd-8th graders.

“I thought this would be so much more fun from an adult point of view,” Sanders said in regards to his childhood spelling bees.

He decided to create The ‘Lucky Guess’ Spelling Bee, an all ages spelling bee and poetry reading, while working on a Norwegian Epic cruise ship.

“While I’m out here (on the cruise ship), the only way I can stay focused is if I put my energy into a project,” Sanders said in a Skype interview from Jamaica. “This seemed like a fun way to kick off this poetry tour I’m going on.”

In between each round of the spelling bee, there will be poetry readings from poets such as Robb Q. Telfer, Andy Holsteen, Spencer LaBute, Danny Radovanovic, Emanuel Vinson, and Sanders himself. Following this event, Holsteen, LaBute, Radovanovic and Sanders are touring off of a poetry book they are releasing together, called “Luck.”

The spelling bee itself will consist of 30 participants, on a first come, first serve basis and will be held at Young Chicago Authors, located at 1180 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The first place prize consists of $100, a custom trophy, and a preview copy of the poetry book that Holsteen, Labute, Radovanovic and Sanders are touring on, and the glory of being an exceptional speller.

For those interested in attending, more information can be found here.