Meet the Spelling Bee Contenders!
On Wednesday, March 18, the 2020 RVNAhealth Spelling Bee contenders will bring to Ridgefield Playhouse their quick wits, steely nerves … and of course, family and friends to cheer on their efforts. Who will walk away with the crown that evening is anybody’s guess. In the meantime, during the weeks and days leading up to the big event, we are sharing sneak peeks of each of our estimable contenders.
Ryan Arconti, Fairfield County Bank
Role: Marketing Associate
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Spelling Bee History: None to date, but – editor’s note - can one be in marketing and NOT know how to spell?
Why Ryan is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: “A spelling bee is a like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get." (Which might sound familiar to Forrest Gump fans!)
Annie Cozens, Ridgefield High School and
Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield
Role: Student, Boys & Girls Club Staff Member and President of the Ridgefield Keystone Club
Hometown: Ridgefield
Spelling Bee History: Never been in a Spelling Bee before.
Why Annie is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "Because, unlike Boys & Girls Club executive director, Mike Flynn, a past Spelling Bee contestant, I've been able to spell the word "flaming" since the age of 6." [Editor's note: Flynn included a second silent "m" ("flamming") in the 2013 Spelling Bee.]
Lieutenant Brian Durling, Ridgefield Police Department
Role: Lieutenant
Hometown: Raised in Ridgefield; Now lives in Newtown.
Spelling Bee History: Twice a Lifeline in the RVNAhealth Spelling Bee
Why Brian is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "I am historically not a great speller, but am hoping that my previous experience with the Bee and a reliable lifeline will get me deep in the competition."
Edton Ganal, MD, OrthoConnecticut
Role: Sports Medicine Specialist/Orthopedic Surgeon
Hometown: Originally from Los Gatos, CA; now lives in Ridgefield, CT.
Spelling Bee History: Fully recovered from the sting of a first-round elimination in an elementary school bee.
Why Edton is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: Dr. Ganal has a modest goal of “surpassing my last spelling bee showing.” (But also expect this former medical officer who treated combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan to display nerves of steel on the big day!)
Pete Goldstein, Adam Broderick Salon & Spa
Role: Chief Financial Officer
Hometown: Grew up in Fairfield, CT; now lives in Danbury.
Spelling Bee History: A newbie! Recently retired from the competitive Math Bee circuit, Pete is participating for the fun and the opportunity to give back. 🙂
Why Pete is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "I will have the largest cheering section behind me."
Liz Hartery, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC
Role: Attorney
Hometown: Originally from Chelan, WA; now lives in Southbury.
Spelling Bee History: In 2001, Liz participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. Amazing! She went out in Round 3 on the word "hawser" -- whatever that means.
Why Liz is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "My favorite word is V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!"
Kyle Martinez, Ancona's Wines & Liquors
Role: Manager and Wine Specialist
Hometown: Grew up in Worcester, MA; moved to Ridgefield in 2014.
Spelling Bee History: Kyle has a vague remembrance of an Elementary School Spelling Bee, but the outcome has faded. Could Kyle have WON, yet the memory eludes him?!
Why Kyle is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "I can be VERY competitive, but I'm happy to be participating for such a great cause."
Michael McNamara, RHS Orchestra Director
Role: Orchestra Director at Ridgefield High School
Hometown:
From Providence, RI; Mr. Mac has worked in Ridgefield for 14 years and lived here for four.
Spelling Bee History: Placed 2nd in his First Grade Spelling Bee.
Why Mr. Mac is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: "There is little chance I am going to actually win. I am a decent speller, but I am here to have a good time and support a good cause."
Cindy Merritt, RVNAhealth
Role: Hospice Social Worker
Hometown: Cindy is from New Milford and now lives in Kent, CT.
Spelling Bee History: Undefeated in previous Spelling Bee showings. Cindy's last Spelling Bee was in Grade 1. She won hands down and is looking forward to a repeat performance.
Why Cindy is going to win this year's Spelling Bee: Because Cindy Merritt is a superstar (if we do say so ourselves) and we've never seen her do anything but her absolute best at everything she does.
Contender No. 10
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Contender No. 11
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Contender No. 12
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