Since 1989, the Marietta Tiberti Spelling Bee has been held at Bishop Gorman High School to honor Mrs. Marietta Tiberti who passed away on February 14, 1987. Mrs. Tiberti was the mother of six children, all of whom attended Catholic schools (St. Joseph, St. Anne and Bishop Gorman). She was a firm believer in Catholic education and the power of reading and writing.
The event was established in her honor by her son, Tito Tiberti, with the goal of encouraging students to improve their spelling and vocabulary, as well as to foster the proper use of the English language. The competition, which brings Catholic grade-school students together from all over the Las Vegas valley, has evolved into one of the most exciting and prestigious contests during the school year. Each of the six Catholic grade schools sends two finalists and an alternate from the 5th to 8th grades to compete in a traditional spelling bee. The overall winner receives a one-year scholarship, sponsored by the Tito & Sandra Tiberti Foundation, to attend Bishop Gorman High School during their freshman year. In addition to the scholarship, the winner is presented with a championship trophy and a “Revolving Trophy” which is displayed throughout the academic year at their school. Throughout the years, the Marietta Tiberti Memorial Spelling Bee has proven an excellent opportunity for hard-working, dedicated students to be rewarded for their commitment to their education. The tradition and legacy associated with Mrs. Tiberti lives on through this very special event.
