A fifth grader from Pleasant Valley School in Mullica Hill placed in the Garden District Spelling Bee on Feb. 9. Dara Onibonoje won her school bee and Gloucester County Women’s Club (GCWC) sponsored her to participate in the Garden District Bee. The Spelling Bee was hosted by The Haddon Fortnightly Woman’s Club at The Haddon Fortnightly. Volunteers from the entire garden district assisted at the bee. GCWC member and Garden District Vice President Patricia Dahl attended as a judge, and GCWC Membership Vice President Debra Kain served as a liaison between the club and the participating schools.
“The hardest word I encountered was humanitarianism,” speller Dara Onibonoje. “That’s the word I got out on.”
“Dara is an exceptional, insightful, and dedicated student, who I feel honored to have the privilege to teach,” said fifth grade teacher Lindy Gerkens. Gerkens, who has worked on the spelling bee for a number of years, said, “Dara is motivated to succeed, passionate about her studies, and serves as a role model to her peers. We are so excited to have her serve as our representative for Harrison Township, and already consider her a winner in our book!”
The 2020 State Spelling Bee will be held at NJSFWC Headquarters on Saturday, March 7. Since 1989, local clubs in the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) have sponsored spelling bees for 4th and 5th graders. Clubs either hold a spelling bee of their own or ask schools to hold spelling bees, after which the club sponsors the winners in the District Spelling Bee. Winners from the District Spelling Bee compete in the State Spelling Bee at NJSFWC Headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ.
Gloucester County Women’s Club meetings are held on the second Thursday of most months at 7 p.m. at the Mantua Community Center. Guests are welcome!
