PNA 15TH NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Chicago, Illinois - On Saturday, April 19, 2008, the finals of the 15th Polish National Alliance Spelling Bee came to an exciting conclusion. Eleven finalist from around the country competed in the National finals held at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare and sponsored by the PNA Educational Department.

Welcoming out PNA Youth to this 15th Annual Spelling Bee was Vice President Teresa N. Abick, who introduced Agnieszka Przeslicke, a local High School teacher in the Chicago Public School district as the Pronouncer.

The list of eleven finalist are: Cyrus Walter Allahyer, District 16, Santa Monica, CA; Michael Danielczuk, District 2, Enfield, CT; Joanna Dynak, District 13, Harwood Hts., IL; Kathleen B. Koluch, District 6, Baltimore, MD; Corey LeMay, District 14, South St. Paul, MN; Alexandra Lyewski, District 12, Lemont, IL; Lawrence Merryman, District 17, Cleveland, OH; Daniel Muzyka, District 10, Dearborn Hts., MI; Maria Tomlinson, District 15, Mishawaka, IN; Desiree Ubaldini, District 7, Blakely, PA; and Aleksandra Wrona, District 1, Holyoke, MA.

After ten rounds of competition, the winners were as follows; 1st Place - Joanna Dynak, District 13, 2nd Place - Michael Danielczul, District 2 and 3rd Place - Maria Tomlinson, District 15.

We at the PNA are proud and honored to be associated with all these fine young people, in our eyes they are all winners and may their future endeavors all be filled with good luck and good health.

To properly sponsor and make an event of this type possible, it takes a wonderful and dedicated staff, and so at this time we would like to acknowledge the Educational Committee members, Directors Anna Wierzbicki, Hedy Rabiega, Allan Szuflada, Tadeusz Kutarba, Bernadette Zubel, and chairperson Teresa Abick. The pronouncer was Agnieszka Przeslicke, judges were Christine Tarchala, Secretary Lodge 699 PNA, Harriet Gut, Member of Lodge 1474 PNA and Katarzyna Gielniewski, teacher Catholic Schools, and timekeeper was Wanda Juda, of the Polish Daily News.

To all the participants from throughout the country and the working staff, we extend our grateful thanks and congratulations on a job well done. We thanks all the National Officers, Directors and Commissioners who attended the National Spelling Bee.

For these events to be successful, we need your help and expertise in the Districts to promote the PNA and the programs that are truly beneficial to our youth.

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