Students Spell Their Way to Victory

Seventh-grader Kellie Mullaney took First Place for the second year in a row at Thursday night's annual Spelling Bee and Silent Auction at the  by correctly spelling “exhibit.” Mullaney went a nailbiting five rounds with Nicole Hall for the exciting win.

Jeclyn Williams and Jamie Coates were the eight-grade finalists. The two also went head to head for five rounds, with Williams triumphing with “neurotic.”  

Sixth-graders Amanda Murray and Riley Doyle engaged in a battle royale, volleying six rounds before Murray correctly spelled “devour” for first place.

Dozens of students in grades 6, 7 and 8 competed in the Holten Richmond Middle School annual Spelling Bee and Silent Auction at The Liberty Tree Mall. Teacher Ellen White returned to moderate the event, which took place onstage at the edge of the Food Court before scores of parents and peers.  

There were several tables of donated prizes for the silent auction, with all proceeds to benefit DEEP, Danvers Educational Enrichment Partnership.

Auction items included Red Sox tickets, valued at $104 and a $200, a birthday party for 10 children donated by United Martial Arts, and also several original artwork pieces by students with frames donated by A.C. Moore.

First place winners were presented with $100 Series EE Savings Bonds donated by Danversbank. All participants received an eco-friendly water bottle filled with Hershey’s candy for parting gifts.