Sponsors and Coordinators • Theaker

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PICTURED FROM left to right: Frank Papini from Martins Ferry Elks, last year’s winner Jacob Theaker from Martins Ferry, Darlene Ruch from Martins Ferry Elks, Lisa Burrell and Rachel Winters from ECOESC. BACK ROW, Rich Silverio from Belmont Savings Bank, Belmont College president Paul Gasparro, Alicia Jordon from Belmont Savings Bank and Joe Lovell Times Leader Special Events Coordinator. missing sponsors, Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel, Bordas & Bordas Attorneys, Airport Limousine Service.

Day 5 we visited the Holocaust Museum and the Pentagon Memorial and then headed back to the hotel to see the final round of the Spelling Bee.

Day 6 was Friday and we went to the Smithsonian National Zoo. That evening they had closing ceremonies with a fancy dinner followed by a party with lots of entertainment. Meeting the other spellers was a good experience. I was amazed by not only how smart they were but many of them were also very talented. The last day we walked around the National Harbor and later headed home on the Amtrak.

I would like to thank the Times Leader, Belmont Savings Bank, Uniglobe Travel, Airport Limousine Service, Bordas & Bordas, Belmont College, Ohio River Valley Elks, and the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center for an amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank the Martins Ferry School District for all of their support and my spelling bee coordinator, Mrs.

- Wednesday, February 1, 2023 - 9

1st Prize