Roman Wins Spelling Bee at Washington School
There was electricity in the air as Washington Primary School’s second grade spelling bee got underway last week in the gym. After a series of tense rounds, Jayden Roman was crowned champion after correctly spelling the word “ambition.”
The annual competition was created by former Huntington teacher and current district parent Tim Pillion, who presided over the finals during the early years of the contest. The initiative has effectively promoted reading, grammar and spelling and student interest has grown in each of these areas. Washington reading teachers Jeff Dicker, Barbara McKenna and Carol Soskil presided over this year’s championship rounds.
Five students from each of the four second grade classes advanced to the finals. With their classmates watching, the finalists sat in front of the school stage until their name was called. When it was their turn, contestants stood as Mr. Dicker, Mrs. McKenna and Mrs. Soskil read out this year’s words.
Excitement reigned supreme as contestants started to fall. In the end, the battle was reduced to just three competitors; Mr. Roman, Michael Mendikyn and Michaela Dopico, who finished in first, second and third place, respectively. Students from the classes of teachers Katherine Castellano, Suzanne Dinehart, Patricia Maltempo and Diane Regan participated in the contest.
Caroline McGreevy won last year’s contest when she was able to spell the word “quality.” Ryan Curran grabbed the 2013 spelling bee when he correctly spelled the word “petroleum.” Charlotte Soljanich won the 2012 contest by spelling the word “trapezoid.” Andreas Seferian won in 2011 when he accurately spelled “goulash.” Anna Wickey captured the 2010 title when she correctly spelled “business.” Ryan Hoffman won the crown in 2009 after nailing the spelling of the word “pasture.” Nicholas Inman won in 2008 when he spelled out “eclipse.” In 2007, Sarah James took top honors after she spelled “giraffe.”
“Our second graders eagerly anticipate the annual spelling bee,” Washington Principal Marsha Neville said. “It’s a great challenge that keeps learning fun.”
Mr. Roman’s name will be engraved on a plaque that already contains the names past second grade spelling bee champs. It is affixed to a wall in the main lobby of the school.