Pictured: The tournament's competitors and staff

As part of the annual spelling bee competition, which has been held for the past two years, a giant competition is being held for students attending schools in the three Partnership 2000 municipalities-Nazareth Illit, Migdal HaEmek, and Jezreel Valley.

The first competition took place in Nazareth Illit and featured 18 participants from 9 elementary schools.  The competitors, sixth graders, were selected following a screening process for determining which of them would have the honor of representing their schools in the regional competition.

Between the six rounds of the spelling competition, which including two rounds of oral quizzes, were impressive interludes performed by the students-in English.  The competitors were very excited over participating in the event and demonstrated remarkable knowledge of English.  The panel of judges at the competition included the director of the English program, Ms. Zehava Laron, deputy English supervisor, Ms. Fran Sokol, and former English supervisor, Ms. Mida Nahushtan.

In a touching final ceremony, English teachers from the region ascended the stage and were awarded flowers as each school was given an elegant world globe to place in its English corner.

The winners of the competition each received a stylish glass statue and an Oxford dictionary to be placed in their English classroom.  First place went to Chen Barak of Golan School, second to Leah Slector of Arbel School, and third place went to Ilya Geller of Carmel School.

Thank you -  to the pedagogical guide from Nazareth Illit, Stephanie Fox, who contributed greatly to the success of the event; to Mark Adler of Detroit for his contribution of the globes; to the Nazareth Illit Education Department; to Partnership 2000, and to the Sacta-Rashi Foundation.