The "Jeopardy" jingle echoed from the Dartmouth High auditorium, although it was not Alex Trebek feeding words to the 37 teams participating in the sixth annual Spelling Bee on November 3.

Antediluvian means before the biblical flood, and it was the winning word for the Foreign Language Lovers — a three-person team from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's Foreign Literature and Language Department. This was the second consecutive championship for team members Deborah Lee, Rose Facchini, and Stephanie O'Hara, who dressed in striped shirts and European accessories to match their French and Italian studies.

"Know your foreign language roots," said Lee, listing off several European languages such as French and German.

"But you also have to be very international," said O'Hara, referring to their success with spelling cheongasm, an Asian dress.

The way it works: six teams compete against each other at a time. The announcer reads a word and its definition, and team members hold up their spelling on a white board when time is called. This year’s judges — Select Board member Shawn McDonald and Town Administrator David Cressman — checked the answers. Teams were allowed two errors before being eliminated. Rounds continued until there was only one team left standing. The winners of each round then faced off for the championship.

The spelling bee, hosted by the Dartmouth Education Foundation, serves primarily as a fundraiser for teacher grants. This year, it raised about $19,000, and while that money will help fund 3D printers, theatre tickets, and biotechnology camps, the bee also doubles as an ego-booster.

"This is all about bragging rights," said John Beauregard, the event's organizer.

He said the winning team gets nothing except a small personal trophy, and a larger, engraved one that is returned the following year... much like the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup.

Participants added flare to the competition by dressing up. Teams sported tiaras, reflective vests, and even full Halloween costumes.