Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee winners will advance to state championships

Four students from the Archdiocese of Newark will compete in the New Jersey State Knights of Columbus 2023 Spelling Bee in April.  

After competing in the annual Archdiocese of Newark Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 19, Edbert Aquino of Academy of Our Lady of Grace in Fairview, Rose Kalupahana of St. Francis Academy in Union; Ian Soto of Veteran's Middle School in North Arlington, and Jayden Papasavas of Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights, will move on to the state finals. 

The competition, which took place at Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus, was hosted this year by the Knights of Columbus Mary Immaculate Council #12769. It is open to both private and public-school students. 

Aquino, who placed first in the competition, said that preparing for the bee was not easy, but the experience boosted his confidence in spelling overall.  

“The Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee was a unique experience for me where I was able to improve my overall vocabulary, push myself to learn more complex words, and improve my usage of the English language,” Aquino said.  

Kalupahana placed second, Soto placed third, and Papasavas placed fourth. 

The winners received cash prizes of $100, $85, $65, and $50, respectively, sponsored by the Chapters and Federations in the 4 Counties of the Archdiocese of Newark. Aquino also received a plaque for his victory. 

All four finalists will advance to the statewide Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee on April 16 at the Church of the Epiphany in Brick, where they will face off against spellers from the Dioceses of Camden and Metuchen. The top three finishers at the state level will receive commemorative plaques. 

Papasavas said he is preparing for the upcoming championship by studying and playing spelling games online.  

“I chose to compete because I want to get better at spelling and I'm very competitive so I'm playing to win,” Papasavas said. 

The spelling competition in the Archdiocese of Newark has been held since 2005 for eighth graders in public and private schools. Students compete within their schools, then at the archdiocesan level.  

“Here at the Knights, we love learning,” said Vito Mazza, a retired educator, and Chairman of the Archdiocesan Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee. “We are trying to help develop the communication skills of any student who participates in our bee. We are trying to educate people that having a good vocabulary is highly desirable.” 

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization founded on principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. The Knights of Columbus councils of the Archdiocese of Newark have traditionally partnered with local schools and parishes to host this regional spelling bee each year. 

The winners of the 2023 Archdiocese of Newark Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee, from left to right: Jayden Papasavas, Ian Soto, Edbert Aquino, and Rosa Kalupahana, along with Chairman of the Archdiocesan Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee Vito Mazza (left) and spelling bee facilitators Marianne and Bill Mackey (right).