Number Crunchers Beat Librarians and Moms

In a heated contest on Sunday among 21 teams, the 2nd Annual Spelling Bee to benefit the The Depot, Darien's teen center, saw first prize go to the team sponsored by the Board of Finance.

Proceeds from the event–over $3,000–will benefit The Depot, financing safe fun for Darien students.

Board of Finance Dominates

Gwen Mogenson, Jon Zadgrodsky and Kate Buch (the town's finance director) kept the trophy for the second year in a row by correctly spelling "apocryphal" (adj., of doubtful authencity.)

Losing teams were tripped up by tricky terminology, including armadillo, rhubarb, catamaran, Chihuahua and baccalaureate.

In the final round, the Board of Finance beat two teams: Darien Library (Sarah Ludwig, Alan Gray and John Blyberg) and The Bee Buddies (Karen Muney, Candy Wheelock and Vicky Patten).

Town-wide Participation

Ably moderated by Peter and Amy Doering, the contest saw three-person teams sponsored by local organizations and Depot donors.

The St. Nick Chicks (Selectwoman Jayme Stevenson, State Rep. Terri Wood and Lulu McPhee) were sponsored by First Selectman David Campbell.  Teams also represented the Darien Chamber of Commerce, Darien Board of Education, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), DHS Field Hockey, TD Bank, and Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO), among others.

Depot program director Janice Marzano says the event went very well, although she was disappointed there weren't more cheerleaders in the crowd at the Town Hall Auditorium. Those who missed the contest can watch the action on TV79 , where the spelling bee will appear on an upcoming schedule.

As for the Board of Finance sweeping the contest yet again, Marzano said she was "very surprised, especially because (Board of Finance Chairman) Murry Stegelmann wasn't there."

So who's the word maven among the Board of Finance number crunchers?