Fifth grader Emma Whitworth was declared first place winner of the ninth annual Spelling Bee at the Ocean City Intermediate School on Jan. 18, besting 17 other classmates. The Colony Club of Ocean City sponsored the event, chaired by Diane Root.
Other winners were Colton Bready, who finished in second place; Tierney Kane, third; and Leonardo Pesda, fourth. The pronouncer was Michael Mattina, school principal.
Special guests were Jay Gillian, Ocean City mayor; Terry Crowley, Interim Superintendent of Ocean City Schools; and Michael Allegretto, a member of the Ocean City School Board.
The coordinating teacher was Ashley Ruffenach. Judges were Karen Mahar, director of the Ocean City Library; Megan Duffy, Language Arts support coach; and Peg Havener, Colony Club representative.
Colony Club volunteers attending the event were Laraine Cheafsky, Mary Ann Corbinsiero, Kathy Rueblinger and Kathy Tully.
The Colony Club of Ocean City is a volunteer, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to developing and supporting programs and projects to improve the community. More information is available at colonyclubocnj.com.
