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Savoie, Sullivan take top spots in annual Diocesan spelling bee

Date: 3/22/2010

March 22, 2010



LONGMEADOW -- St. Mary's Academy in Longmeadow hosted its 4th Annual Spelling Bee March 10 and 11, featuring top spellers from four of the top Springfield Diocese Catholic schools including Blessed Sacrament of Holyoke, St. Michael's Academy of Springfield, St. Thomas the Apostle of West Springfield and St. Mary's Academy of Longmeadow

Dominic Savoie, a seventh grade St. Mary's Academy student, outlasted the field of over 100 spellers from grades four through eight to claim the $1,000 grand prize.

Molly Sullivan, an eighth grade student at St. Michael's Academy, came in second place and won a $500 cash prize when she omitted the first "n" in the word "sententious."

It took 32 rounds to win the grand prize with a total of 483 words presented during the two- night event. All participants received a medal for their participation. Besides winning the $1,000 grand prize, Savoie will have his name engraved on the traveling "Spelling Bee Trophy" which will remain at St. Mary's Academy for the third time in four years.

Savoie shared his thoughts after the contest: "I really enjoyed the experience. With over 1,000 words to learn, I made sure I reviewed the words every night. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it!" he said.

The principals, staff and faculty from all four schools, Pronouncer Noel Leary from Bay Path College and a distinguished panel of judges presided over the two-night event which was attended by nearly 500 people.

"Each year this event gets bigger and better," said a near-breathless St. Mary's Academy Principal Joan MacDonald after the final round. "This year's event was another great educational experience for these 'academic all-stars.' Each of them deserves our congratulations for their dedication, hard work and composure."

Danielle Ruffolo, another seventh grade from St. Mary's Academy, commented that "it's a great confidence builder for all of us. Being onstage in the spotlight in front of hundreds of people, it can be intimidating. Winning would be great, but everyone can walk away knowing we tried our best."