Junior high students at St. Joseph School in Randolph battled it out for the title of "St. Joseph Spelling Bee Champion 2010". Participants spelled their way to the top of their individual classes and then moved on to battle it out for top school honors. This year's top speller was Malinda Baer, Grade 8. Malinda and 2009 Spelling Bee champion Steven Pavliga went 17 rounds before Steven gave up his crown and claimed the alternate second place position.

Malinda will advance to the Portage County District Spelling Bee for grades 6-8 to be held on Tuesday, February 9, 7 p.m. at Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna.

This year's participants were Jennifer Michalec, Joshua McGrath, and Wyatt Steiner representing grade six. Adam Demyan, Nicole Henderson, Sean Pockock, and Lauren Wise (placing third) representing grade seven and Steven Pavliga (second place) and Malinda Baer (first place) representing grade 8. Winners at the district level will compete regionally and continue to compete at higher levels for a possible position in the May 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

Congratulations go out to the entire junior high students at St. Joseph School for their hard work and dedication to the contest. Those who did not place, plan to cheer Malinda on as she prepares for the district spelling bee.

St. Joseph School provides a comprehensive Christian-based curriculum for grades K-8 with opportunities in Advanced Math and Accelerated Reader. In addition, the school offers on campus preschool, all-day Kindergarten, before/after school care, hot lunch, foreign language, computer technology, science/social studies/math fairs, art, music, honor and merit recognition, Accelerated Reader program, Power of the Pen, interscholastic athletics and sports, golf, scouting, dance class, chess club, Junior Achievement, D.A.R.E. , Camp Christopher and other educational field trips.

The school has a small student/teacher ratio and children from all religious backgrounds are welcome. St. Joseph's School is historically known to have alumni who have earned National Honors Scholars, National Honors Society, and High School Valedictorians. St. Joseph School offers free busing from area public school districts such as: Ravenna, Rootstown, Waterloo, Field, and Lake.

St. Joseph Catholic School, in partnership with the Church, community and family, strives to provide a quality education in an atmosphere of Catholic Christian teachings and values. Its goal is to promote the spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and physical excellence of its students. For more information, visit www.stjoerandolph.org or call the school office at 330.628.9555

Pictured L-R: Steven Pavliga, 2nd place, Malinda Baer, 1st place, Lauren Wise, 3rd place