County spelling bee winner crowned
May 26, 2009
ECO Staff – Laure Cioffi, senior journalist
NEW CASTLE – With the Scripps National Spelling Bee kicking off this week, Lawrence County had its own version of the competition last week.
Francesca Mastrangelo was named the first Lawrence County Spelling Bee champ after correctly spelling “streusel.”
 Francesca, an eighth grader at the Laurel School District, easily breezed through her competition winning in the sixth round of the spelling bee.
Bobby McCullough, an eighth grader at Lincoln Junior/Senior High School, placed second and Mackenzie Moon, a seventh grader at Mohawk, placed third after a spell off with Sydney Switzer, a fifth grader from Laurel.
Michael Butchelli, a seventh grader at Lincoln, and Donnie Adams, a seventh grader at Mohawk also participated.
The first Lawrence County Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Lawrence County Government Center and EllwoodCity.org.
Ellwood City Gifted Program Coordinator Jonica Walters organized the event, which was held in courtroom two at the Lawrence County Government Center.
Lawrence County commissioners Dan Vogler and Rick DeBlasio were on hand to greet the spellers Friday and Vogler gave each participant a gold dollar coin.
Walters said all districts were invited to attend the event, but only Ellwood, Laurel and Mohawk participated this year. She said they hope to expand the competition next year to include more districts, private schools and possibly home-schooled children.
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Lawrence County Commissioners Dan Vogler and Rick DeBlasio greeted the pupils participating this year’s Lawrence County Spelling Bee. Pictured from left in the first row are Michael Butchelli, Ellwood City; Sidney Switzer, Laurel; Donnie Adams, Mohawk. Second row from the left are Commissioner Rick DeBlasio, Mackenzie Moon, third place winner from Mohawk; Bobby McCullough, second place winner from Ellwood City; Francesca Mastrangelo, first place winner from Laurel and Commissioner Dan Vogler.
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Winners of the first annual Lawrence County Spelling Bee were from left, Francesca Mastrangelo of Laurel, first place; Bobby McCullough of Ellwood City, second place; and Mackenzie Moon of Mohawk, third place.
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