Talk to your teen: Feb. is teen dating violence awareness month
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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February 3, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 4
Sigonella Elementary Students Spell for Success By MC2 michelle sabangan NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Twenty-one Sigonella Elementary School students tested their spelling knowledge onstage in front of peers and family in a spelling bee held in Knight's Hall Jan. 26. Each classroom from 3rd through 5th grade held their own spelling bee to determine the top three spellers for the competition. For many students, making it to the first round was an accomplishment in itself. Prior to the competition, the students had some behind-the-scenes prep for the bee. They were given word lists to study on their own and also attended six practice sessions to learn spelling bee etiquette. After six
weeks of preparation and studying, the spellers were ready to test themselves in front of an audience. “It’s a good experience just to get up on that stage and spell in front of your peers,” said Lois Dent, spelling bee chairperson and Sigonella Elementary School teacher. “That alone is hard.” To begin the bee, each student spelled a word they’d chosen for the audience as an introduction. Then the bee's pronouncer, Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Guerra from AFN, gave the first word to spell. Three judges sat nearby to ensure fairness. They included Sigonella's executive officer, Cmdr. Charles McKinney, Mr. Bruce Stryker from Navy Federal and Ms. Niki McBain from Emergency Man-
Fourth-grader Freeman Allen spells onstage during a spelling bee at Sigonella Elementary School Jan 26. Allen took first place in the bee and will represent Sigonella at the European PTA spelling bee in Ramstein, Germany.
agement. The students went down the line spelling different words. After all the students had spelled a word, the round was over and the eliminated students joined their peers in the audience. Since the spelling bee is structured for grades three through eight, the elementary school students were expected to be able to spell words up to an eighth-grade level. “Clodhopper,” “Icarus,” and “inlet” all made appearances. After more than eight rounds and a total of 18 eliminations, only the top three spellers were left standing. Fourth grader Freeman Allen took first place and, after a short battle, Lorelai Gilroy placed second and Miriam Franzke placed third. Allen said he worked hard to prepare for the competition and knows
his parents are happy with his success. “It was very challenging," he said. "I studied one list at a time every day.” As the winner of the competition, he will go on to represent Sigonella Elementary School at the European PTA spelling bee in Ramstein, Germany on March 18. He said it will be his first time visiting Ramstein and he’s excited to compete at the next level. If he wins Ramstein’s bee, Allen will then have a shot at winning the national PTA spelling bee in Washington, DC. Overall, the spelling bee was a hit. Dent said some of the students even asked for more in the future. “I think they loved it," she said. “They were also very supportive of each other, which is super terrific.”
Winners of the Sigonella Spelling Bee pose for a photo with Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles McKinney (left), Miriam Franzke, Lorelai Gilroy, Freeman Allen, and Principal Dale Moore (right). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michelle Sabangan/Released)
SPMAGTF CLB-2 Transfers Authority to CLB-8 By CPl Samuel Guerra SPMAGTF Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 (CLB2) handed over the responsibilities as the Logistics Combat Element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) to Combat Logistics Battalion 8 (CLB-8) during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Jan. 25. After nine months of successful operations, the ceremony marked the closure of CLB-2’s deployment in support of crisis response operation in Africa. CLB-8 will carry on the mission as the Logistics Combat Element within the SPMAGTF in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility (AOR). “We couldn’t have left this mission in better hands,” said Lt. Col. Randall K. Jones, the commanding officer of CLB-2. “I have no doubt that CLB-8 is more than ready to take control and build upon our successes.” Since the Marines landed one week ago, they have exemplified passion toward their new role and have eagerly awaited the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities as a force multiplier for the SPMAGTF. “CLB-8 is ready to continue down the path that CLB-2 has paved for us in providing outstanding combat service support to the SPMAGTF and other Marine forces in the area,” said Lt. Col. Shawn P. Grzybowski, commanding officer of CLB-8. “We look forward to [successfully] performing our assigned mission essential tasks and working within the SPMAGTF team.”
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 (CLB-2) handed over the responsibilities as the Logistics Combat Element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SPMAGTFCR-AF) to CLB-8 during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Jan. 25. (Photo courtesty of Cpl. Samuel Guerra)