Somerset Hills Juniors host 9th Annual Spelling Bee

Posted by Helen
January 29, 2012

The children who helped out at a concession that sold desserts, pizza and more were Tate Harrison, in the far left, Christian Beisler, on the far left in the front, Zachary Harrison, in the middle, Colin Beiseler, on the right, and Liam Harrison on the far right in the back. The woman in the back of the photo in the middle is Cecilia Beisler of Warren Township, and the woman on the far right is Tracy Lukshis of Basking Ridge. Courtesy of Helen Stayna

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The children who helped out at a concession that sold desserts, pizza and more were Tate Harrison, in the far left, Christian Beisler, on the far left in the front, Zachary Harrison, in the middle, Colin Beiseler, on the right, and Liam Harrison on the far right in the back. The woman in the back of the photo in the middle is Cecilia Beisler of Warren Township, and the woman on the far right is Tracy Lukshis of Basking Ridge.

Credit Courtesy of Helen Stayna

Byron Smith, the "pronouncer," who read out the words to be spelling by 50 area fourth and fifth graders who competed in the ninth annual spelling bee at the Bedminster Township School sponsored by the Junior Woman's Club of Somerset Hills.

Credit Courtesy of Helen Stayna

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A Bedminster fifth grader, Natalia Youssef, was the first place winner in the ninth annual Junior Women's Club of Somerset Hills spelling bee held Thursday at the Bedminster Township School. The second place winner was Bobby Laurino, from Basking Ridge, as was the third place winner, Anna Skrobala. The 50 participating students were fourth and fifth graders from schools in Bernards Township, Somerset Hills, Warren Township and Bedminster, which has been hosting the annual bee.

At the end of the night the top spellers were: first place, Natalia Youssef, fifth grader at Bedminster Township School; second place, Bobby Laurino; fourth grader at Liberty Corner Elementary School in Basking Ridge; third place, Anna Skrobala, fourth grader at Mount Prospect Elementary School in Basking Ridge; fourth place, Sydney Brewster, fifth grader at the Mt. Horeb School in Warren Township; and fifth place, Kristen Kohler, fourth grader at ALT School in Warren Township.

The first-place prize in Thursday's bee was a $75 Visa gift Card donated by Affinity Federal Credit Union in Basking Ridge. Affinity Federal Credit Union also donated a $50 Visa gift card to the second place winner, and a $25 gift card to the third place winner. Fourth and fifth place runner-ups received $10 iTunes gift cards.

The top three spellers will participate in the North Regional Bee to be held on Saturday, March 3, at the West Ridge Elementary School in Park Ridge (snow date March 6). Registration for that event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the bee will begin at 11 a.m. The top six winners from the regional bee will participate in the State Spelling Bee on March 10, being held at the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs headquarters in New Brunswick.

Chairperson of the event was Bridget Ameo, the co-president of the Junior Woman's Club of Somerset Hills. Byron Smith, professional actor,singer, and voice-over artist, was pronouncer.

Judges were Danielle Adams, business solutions officer with Affinity Credit Union, Antonette D'Orazio, head of youth services at the Somerset County Library System, Warren County branch, and Samantha Basek, Field Executive for the Girl Scouts of New Jersey.

All proceeds from the Bee go to local libraries in Warren, Bedminster, Bernards Township, and Bernardsville. The Junior Women's Club of Somerset Hills is a civic organization serving the community for over 80 years. The club serves the towns of Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Far Hills, Warren, and Peapack Gladstone and is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The Junior Women's Club of Somerset Hills is partnering with Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church to hold an Easter Carnival on March 17th to benefit the Valerie Fund, an organization helping children with cancer. For more information about this event or the club, email the club at jwcofsh@yahoo.com or find us on Facebook.

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