Seventh-grader Josie Schneider (center) celebrates victory with her mother Andrea Huber, and Forrestdale School Spelling Bee Emcee Keith Laviola.
Press release from Rumson School District
On January 26, seventh-grader Josie Schneider claimed the first place finish at the annual Forrestdale School Spelling Bee. Josie attained victory with the correct spelling of her Championship word, “sedimentary.”
Fifth-grader Charlie Patton was first runner-up in the competition, entering the championship round with his correct spelling of the word “antonym.” In all, 27 students in grades four through eight, all of whom had prevailed in their individual classroom spelling bees, participated in the schoolwide event.
Seventh-grade Social Studies teacher Keith Laviola, described as “King of the Spelling Bee” by Forrestdale School Principal Jennifer Gibbons, organized the event and acted as emcee. Fifth grade teacher Aimee Humbert acted as Wordsmith, and judges were Forrestdale School English Language Arts teachers Caroline DeWyngaert, Carol Tagliareni, and Lori Zucker.
Next up for 12-year-old Josie is a trip to Monmouth University to compete at the county level later this month.