PNA DISTRICT 12 ANNUAL SPELLING BEE
RESULTS

Chicago, Illinois - On Sunday, February 17, 2008, District 12 of the Polish National Alliance held their Annual Spelling Bee at Archer Park in Chicago, Illinois. PNA Commissioners of District 12 Barbara J. Wesolowski and Roman Bucon invited all junior high school students (7th and 8th graders) to compete in the spelling bee. Six contestants participated in this years event, which included Courtney Kargol from Lodge 2394, who lives in Montgomery, Illinois, Alexandra Lyewski from Lodge 2927, who lives in Lemont, Illinois, Monica Plukarski of Lodge 1824, who lives in Oak Forest, Illinois, Matthew and Nicholas Domalewski, of Lodge 1824, who lives in Lockport, Illinois, and Tyler Popp of Lodge 1824, who lives in Hickory Hills, Illinois. PNA District 12 covers the entire South Side of Chicago as well as the Southwestern Suburbs.

Commissioner Wesolowski opened the program introducing those attending, who included PNA National Directors Christine Domalewski and Arthur Trybek, Commissioner of District 12 Roman Bucon (who arrived after the competition began), Barbara Sullivan, former St. Damian School Assistant Principal who was the pronouncer, and judges including Theresa Yoksas, a retired teacher from De LaSalle High School and Irene Spiewak, lady Vice President of District 12 Women's Division. Personal greetings from PNA Vice Presidents Teresa Abick and Paul Odrobina, who wished the contestants the best of luck, success and thanked them for participating in the spelling bee.

After a few rounds of fierce competition, the final contestant standing, Tyler Popp spelled "Geography" correctly to become the winner of the 2008 District 12 Spelling Bee. Second place went to Alexandra Lyewski and third place went to Matthew Domalewski. The 8th grade winner of the competition will go on to compete in the PNA National Spelling Bee to be held on April 19th in Chicago, Illinois. Since Tyler is a 7th grade student and the Nationals only requires 8th grade students to compete, Alexandra will be representing District 12 at the National Spelling Bee.

The National Spelling Bee will host the winners from the seventeen districts within the United States. The winners received cash prizes and each participant received a certificate for outstanding efforts and participation.

Story and Photos by:
Robert M. Jadach

To  View Full Size Version of Photo - Click on Thumbnail Below

Barbara Wesolowski opening program		Barbar Sullivan, Theresa Yoksas, Irene Spiewal	The Contestants
	Alexandra Lyewski	Monica Plukarski	Matthew Domalewski
Nicholas Domalewski	Courtney Kargol	Tyler Popp