A Verona student wowed the judges with his spelling skills, and the community can look forward to supporting him as he advances to the next level of competition. Philip Konrad-Parisi was set to compete at the finals of the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs Spelling Bee on March 5.

Philip, the second place winner at the Verona Junior Woman’s Club’s annual spelling bee, placed at the regional competition on Feb. 20.

Philip says, “The Verona Spelling Bee and the District Spelling Bee were both fun but I was also very nervous. I think all of the students were really good spellers but sometimes you forget how to spell even easy words when you have to say them out loud and so many people are watching. I am looking forward to going to New Brunswick to be in the State Spelling Bee. I wonder how many people will be there.”

The Verona community, especially the Junior Woman’s Club of Verona, wished Philip lots of luck! The Junior Woman’s Club of Verona is a versatile organization that has been involved in social and charitable work since its inception in 1926. The Juniors address Verona’s diverse needs by promoting education, preserving natural resources, encouraging healthy lifestyles, working on behalf of the elderly and people with disabilities, supporting participation in the arts and advocating for issues of concern to women, children and families.