Elmwood fifth-grader wins Spelling Bee
BY DAVID POLLARD dpollard@pioneerlocal.com January 30, 2012 4:22PM
Elmwood Park Friday 01.27.12. William Jordan of John Mills Elementary School spells a word while taking part in a spelling bee in a gym at the school on Friday, January 27, 2012, in Elmwood Park. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:16AM
An Elmwood Elementary School student had all the right words in the right order, winning the annual school district Spelling Bee on Friday.
There were 30 students who competed at John Mills Elementary School, 2824 N. 76th Ave. Half of the students were from Elmwood Elementary and half from John Mills. The students were in fourth, fifth or sixth grades.
Max DiFrisco, a fifth-grade student from Elmwood Elementary, took first place in the spelling bee. DiFrisco will now move on to compete against other students in other school districts.
Ivan Popov, a fifth-grade student from John Mills, came in second place.
Sue Ponzio, principal of Elmwood Elementary School, who pronounced the words for the students during the competition, said she is proud of all the students, especially DiFrisco.
“We’re excited. This is the first time we’ve (school) won in a long time,” she said.
“I thought they did very well,” she said. “They (students) took it seriously and they did great. It’s a wonderful experience for them to be involved.”
DiFrisco will move on to compete in the Scripps West 40 Illinois South Cook Second Annual Spelling on Feb. 15 at Mannheim Middle School in Melrose Park. The top three spellers will move on to the regional competition on Feb. 22 at the same location.
Popov will take DiFrisco’s place in the competition if he is unable to compete.
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