Semi-Finalists in the Long Island Jewish World Annual Spelling Bee concentrate on their written and timed spelling tests which determined who would proceed to the verbal finals. Connor Dolan, a 8th grader at Babylon Jr./Sr. High School, Christopher Carleo, a 8th grader at SS Cyril & Methodius School, Lynus Fortaleza, a 5th grader at William Deluca Jr Elementary School, Cameron Kuhn, a 5th grader at Marion G. Vedder Elementary School, Alyssa Gemello, a 6th grader at Harding Avenue Elementary School, Scott Halper, a 5th grader at Alleghany Avenue Elementary School, Felicia Hyndman, a 5th grader at Harding Avenue Elementary School and Shannon Wendelken, a 4th grader at Edward W. Bower Elementary S cho ol were among the orthographers (persons who spell correctly) from public, private and religious day schools of all faiths across Long Island who recently competed in the Long Island semi-finals of the annual Scripps Howard News Service Spelling Bee, sponsored by Long Island Jewish World in cooperation with the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid (formerly KeySpan).

Dolan is one of 31 students who qualified to advance to the Long Island finals, March 19 at the Old Bethpage Middle School, and the winner of that contest will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the national Scripps Howard News Service Spelling Bee May 26-28.

These skilled spellers participated in a timed, written spelling test administered to 89 of Long Island's best and brightest youngsters in grades 4-8 at the annual spelling bee held recently at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in Plainview.

"We're always so impressed by Long Island students," remarked Jerry Lippman, publisher of Long Island Jewish World and sponsor of the contest. "Each year their skill and maturity brings them well-deserved recognition as the best and brightest in New York who represent their schools well."