Second graders compete each spring
For weeks now, some Fort Montgomery Elementary School second graders have been doing some extra homework — practicing their spelling.
Twenty boys and girls chose to compete in the school’s annual spelling bee, held last Friday afternoon in front of all of the school’s students and teachers, most of the competitor’s parents, and other spectators.
The words were read to them by teacher Lisa Galu, with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Sheboy and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andrea Tejedor judging. The event was sponsored by the school’s Parent-Teacher-Partnership.
It was after about the third round of words that a significant number of students began to be eliminated, but making it all the way to the very end was Jahir Alencaster. He won on the word ‘tempting’. Coming in second was Azanya Elie.
All were praised for their hard work in preparing for the contest, in Adelstein’s opening remarks. She stood off to the side throughout the competition, cheering on the spellers, as well as consoling those who were upset about having been eliminated.
The other participants were: Sawyer Barr, Bryce Brumfield, Xavier Buckley, Michael Cahill, Brandon Chen, Brennan Guerra, Hailey Hall, Elias Heckel, Isabella Johnson, Juliet O’Connell, Adrianna Oligario, Dominique Stewart, Abby Suchanyc, Lucyenne Truong, Joseph Vanzetta, Melanie Wilkinson, Derek Woodbrey and Emma Wray.