Second Annual Townwide Spelling Bee a Buzz with Young Spellers

With such a large number of eager young spellers, organizers of the second annual Town-Wide Youth Spelling Bee had to bring the students on stage in waves.

The first spelling bee attracted about 60 Watertown students, but this year, organizer and Watertown Education Foundation President Amy Donohue found she had 275 youngsters from the three elementary schools - Hosmer, Lowell and Cunniff.

"We added one extra grade – first grade," Donohue said.

Donohue helped the parents and teachers who helped organize the event. Besides giving students a chance to test their spelling skills, it raised money for the Watertown Education Foundation.

"All the money raised will go to teacher grant money," Donohue said. "During these difficult times it is imperative for the Education Foundation and parents to create solidarity around what is most important - the success of our students."

Money was raised through entree fees, T-shirt sales and a raffle. Watertown Savings Bank donated a Kindle e-reader and Belmont Savings Bank donated an iPad as raffle prizes.

The students formed teams of three, and took part in the competition.

The first graders spelled for fun, and all got a medal and a bag of candy for participating. Second grade and above competed to see how well they could spell.

"I hope you have fun, that's what it's all about," Donohue said before the spelling bee began.

Here are the winners for the second annual Town-Wide Youth Spelling Bee:

Second Grade Winners

BEE BUSTERS

1. Philip Centola, Hosmer
2. Maeve Walsh, Cunniff
3. Anthony Lampasona, Cunniff

SUPER SMART SPELLERS

1. Eoin Morrissey, Cunniff
2. Jacob Deveikas, Cunniff
3. Zachery Paquette, Cunniff

THE SOCCER BEES

1. Robert Rizzo, Lowell
2. Moses Davis, Lowell
3. Gleb Partensky, Lowell

THE BRIGHT BEES

1. Lara Cordeiro, Hosmer
2. Hailey Kaufman, Hosmer
3. Sophia Noble, Hosmer

Third Grade Winners

THE SPELLING BEES

1. Zovig Kupelian, Hosmer
2. Paul Kupelian, Hosmer
3. Ben Davis, Hosmer

THE CUNNIFF BEES

1. Maggie Wensink, Cunniff
2. Bryan Hernandez, Cunniff
3. Sam CeQuiera, Cunniff

THE BEE BOPS

1. Julia Beecher, Hosmer
2. Jocelyn Beecher, Hosmer
3. Jenna Petrie, Hosmer

BRONCOS

1. Nick Dagostino, Lowell
2. Jeremy Herrera, Lowell
3. Ameer Alhady, Lowell

SPELLTASTIC

1. Leah Bailey
2. Sara Spiers
3. Asenal Rodriguez, Lowell

AKL

1. Leticia Andrade, Hosmer
2. Karina Melkonian, Hosmer
3. Adam Halois, Hosmer

THE SUPER SPELLERS

1. Lana Taffel, Lowell
2. Haley Wolff, Lowell
3. Sana Rafic, Lowell

Fourth Grade Winners

SPELLING SPECIALISTS

1. Brittany, Catsoulis, Hosmer
2. Lakshmi Thangaraj, Hosmer
3. Krishna Patel, Hosmer

The B-BOYS

1. Artemy Ivanov, Lowell
2. Gabe McGeough, Lowell
3. Cormac Kennelly, Lowell

THE BUZZING B’S

1. Susan Howard, Lowell
2. Hannah McDonald, Lowell
3. Rachael Stokes, Lowell

Fifth Grade Winners

SPELLING FILLIES

1. Juliana Arruda, Hosmer
2. MaryKate Griffin, Hosmer
3. Nicki Hamidi, Hosmer

THE KILLER BEES

1. Ben Fandetti, Hosmer
2. Justin Viasus, Jackson School
3. George Darmody, Hosmer

QUEEN BEES

1. Catherine Holt, Lowell
2. Julia Greim, Lowell
3. Lauren Cole, Lowell

THE BUZZERS

1. Sukaina Attar,Hosmer
2. Najma Layali, Hosmer
3. Shannon Dunn, Hosmer