Twenty-nine students from John F. Kennedy Middle School took the stage on Jan. 9th to compete in a schoolwide spelling bee. The annual event was held after school in the John F. Kennedy Middle School auditorium.
Family and friends cheered on the students as they showcased their impressive spelling skills. One by one, students walked up to the microphone and were given a word to spell. If they spelled their word incorrectly, they were eliminated. As the competition continued, 29 spellers dwindled down to 25, 15, 10, and then eventually the final two.
Sixth grader Elaina Gardikas was crowned the spelling bee champion and eighth grader Connor Cavalieri was named the runner up. Both students will take a written exam during the week of Feb. 5 to qualify for the regional competition. The top 40 students in the area will be invited to the Long Island Regional Bee which will be held on March 21st in the Half Hollow Hills School District. The winner will then advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C.
The Bethpage Union Free School District wishes Elaina and Connor the best of luck as they progress in the competition!
