Elvina Yau, an eighth-grader at Jericho Middle School, was among the orthographers (persons who spell correctly) from public, private and religious day schools of all faiths across Long Island who recently competed in the Long Island semifinals of the annual Scripps Howard News Service Spelling Bee, sponsored by Long Island Jewish World in cooperation with the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid (formerly KeySpan). Elvina will advance to the Long Island finals on March 26, and the winner of that contest will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Spelling Bee in June.

These skilled spellers participated in a timed, written spelling test administered to 75 of Long Island's best and brightest youngsters in grades 4-8 at the annual spelling bee held recently at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in Plainview.

"We're always so impressed by Long Island students," remarked Jerry Lippman, publisher of Long Island Jewish World, sponsor of the contest. "Each year their skill and maturity brings them well-deserved recognition as the best and brightest in New York who represent their schools well."