Student excels at spelling

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Fifty Freehold Township fifth-graders competed in the ninth annual spelling bee sponsored by the Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold on Jan. 24. All five of the Free-hold Township School District's elementary schools were represented in the competition which was open to all fifth-graders in the township.

Freehold Township families, teachers and administrators gathered in the Early Childhood Learning Center gymnasium to watch their spelling champions compete.

Sheila Saul, the organizer of the event, said the spelling bee encourages pupils to think and realize the importance of spelling and also provides them an opportunity to be in front of a large audience.

"The students gain a lot of self-esteem and confidence by being part of this," she said. "It is something they will always remember."

After about eight rounds, Julianne Brophy, an Applegate School pupil, won the spelling bee. Jenna Bazzurro, a West Freehold School pupil, was second and Kristine Holdorf, a Catena School pupil, was third.

After congratulating her student for winning the spelling bee's top honor, Applegate School Principal Barbara Longo said Julianne is a wonderful student and has been working hard with her teacher, Patricia Sfaelos, to prepare for the spelling bee.

"She is an all-around great kid, who loves school and was happy to be part of this challenge," Longo said.

According to a press release from the school district, all of the contestants received a certificate of participation as well as goody bags provided by Chicken Holiday of Manalapan. The top three winners each received gifts from Barnes & Noble, provided by a donation in memory of Jack Bieber, the father-in-law of Noontime Optimist Club member Michele Bieber.