WEST MILFORD Paradise Knoll Elementary School held its annual Spelling Bee earlier this month and sixth grader Gillian Durante came out on top of the heap.
The contestant pool consisted of 17 kids - seven from grade five and 10 from grade six - the top spellers in their respective classes based on classroom spelling contests.
In the ninth round of the bee, Gillian correctly spelled the word "temperate," which had been misspelled by the only other contestant left. To be champions, Gillian then had to spell another word to complete the elimination round. It was a piece of cake - or should we say fruit - for the new PK spelling champion as she correctly spelled "nectarine" to walk off with the 2012 Paradise Knoll School Spelling Bee championship.
Gillian will be honored with a trophy at an awards assembly later in the school year. Congratulations to Gillian!