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Life Deconstructed: Marriage 101: The good, the bad, the ugly and the socks

Suspended GAR teachers relatively new to the job

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; They&#8217;ve already conquered such tricky words as <em>ostensibly, laundromat</em> and <em>bossa nova.</em></p><p>March 6 at the Woodlands, 22 young spellers from across Luzerne County will face each other and, no doubt, greater spelling challenges in the Times Leader/Scripps Regional Spelling Bee as they compete for the chance to represent the area May 24-26 at the Scripps National Spelling Bee just outside of the nation&#8217;s capital in National Harbor, Maryland.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m kind of nervous, but I&#8217;m excited,&#8221; said Bryan Landron, 12, who is from Hazleton&#8217;s Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School.</p><p>For some spellers, their excitement gained momentum during suspenseful bees at their schools.</p><p>Livia Moore, 13, knows the bated-breath feeling well. During 10 heart-pounding rounds at Wyoming Area Catholic School in Exeter, she and her good friend Tessa spelled and spelled until Tessa missed a word and Livia came through with the correct spelling of a six-syllable mouthful: d-e-s-e-r-t-i-f-i-c-a-t-i-o-n. Whew!</p><p>In other bees the suspense evaporated quickly &#8212; and that can be exciting, too. Just ask 12-year-old Peter Khoudary, whose friends &#8220;started freaking out&#8221; as soon as he was given the word <em>jai alai</em>, which refers to a popular Latin American sport, during Good Shepherd Academy&#8217;s bee in Kingston.</p><p>One of his buddies had quizzed him earlier in the day in the cafeteria, Peter said. &#8220;That was the last word we did.&#8221; So the whole gang knew he&#8217;d get it right.</p><p>Meet the regional bee&#8217;s 22 competitors, each of them experienced in spelling words correctly, and one of them soon to prepare for a trip to the national bee.</p><p><strong>Jessica Trauger,</strong> 12, of Dunmore. Daughter of Ann Marie and Brent Trauger, she attends sixth grade at Dunmore Elementary Center. An avid soccer player and golfer, she enjoys painting portraits of family members and animals and is reading &#8220;The Hunger Games&#8221; trilogy.</p><p><strong>Dominic Bernardi,</strong> 10, of Duryea. Son of Ray and Jessica Bernardi, he attends fourth grade at Pittston City Intermediate Center. An avid reader, he also enjoys baseball and basketball.</p><p><strong>Cassidy McDonald,</strong> 12, of Hunlock Creek. Daughter of Colleen and Matthew McDonald, she attends sixth grade at Lehman-Jackson Elementary School. She enjoys singing, playing the piano and clarinet, drawing and painting, basketball and soccer, and reading the &#8220;Harry Potter&#8221; series.</p><p><strong>Bryan Landron,</strong> 12, of Hazleton. Son of Yulissa and Nilson Landron, he attends seventh grade at Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School. He enjoys drawing, reading, martial arts and feeding his family&#8217;s four pet lovebirds.</p><p><strong>Shailee Desai,</strong> 11, of Shavertown. Daughter of Sandhya and Pramthesh Desai, she attends seventh grade at Wilkes-Barre Academy. The winning word at her school bee was <em>agora</em>.</p><p><strong>Jamison Bessoir,</strong> 11, of Clarks Summit. Son of Donna Eget and Carolyn Beers, he attends sixth grade at Abington Heights Middle School. A Boy Scout who likes to attend &#8220;as many camping activities as possible,&#8221; he plays piano and wrote a novel about a bully who learns a lesson.</p><p><strong>Darlene Nunez,</strong> 10, of Wilkes-Barre. Daughter of Mariluz and Paulino Nunez, she attends fifth grade at Heights/Murray Elementary School. Her winning word was <em>tropical.</em></p><p><strong>Fidel Sanchez Jr.,</strong> 11, of Hazleton. Son of Fidel Sanchez Sr. and Yenaida Alcantara, he attends sixth grade at Maple Manor Elementary/Middle School in Hazle Township. The winning word in his school bee was <em>garrulous.</em></p><p><strong>Hailey Petrilla,</strong> 11, of Kelayres. Daughter of Theresa and Tony Petrilla, she attends sixth grade at McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School. She enjoys reading and plans to join the chorus this year.</p><p><strong>Thomas Connors,</strong> 14, of Pittston Township. Son of Kelly and Tom Connors, he attends eighth grade at Pittston Area Middle School. He plays the trumpet, bowls, takes part in Science Olympiad and MathCounts competitions and throws the javelin for his track team.</p><p><strong>Landon Wolk,</strong> 12, of Drums. Son of Suzanne and David Wolk, he attends seventh grade at Drums Elementary/Middle School and plays baseball, basketball and is in the brass section of the school band. He is involved in community theater, with roles such as Prince Dauntless in &#8220;Once Upon a Mattress&#8221; to his credit.</p><p><strong>Livia Moore,</strong> 12, of Luzerne. Daughter of Lisa and Richard Moore, she attends eighth grade at Wyoming Area Catholic School, and enjoys volleyball, reading and playing basketball with her school team, which is heading to the CYO Girls&#8217; Grade School Basketball State Championship in Pittsburgh March 10-13.</p><p><strong>Jasmine Beiler,</strong> 13, of Hazle Township. Daughter of Jim and Keang Beiler, she attends eighth grade at Freeland Elementary/Middle School and won her school bee with the word <em>admiringly.</em></p><p><strong>Dillon Shaw,</strong> 13, of White Haven. Son of Donald and Heather Shaw, he attends seventh grade at Crestwood Middle School and spelled <em>gargantuan</em> to win his school bee.</p><p><strong>Kabir Satija,</strong> 13, of Sugarloaf. Son of Sushil and Ruby Satija, he attends eighth grade at Wyoming Seminary Lower School in Forty Fort. He enjoys Scouting, lacrosse, soccer, golf and is working on a cellular respiration project for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.</p><p><strong>Kayleigh Correll,</strong> 12, of Hazleton. Daughter of Stephanie Correll, she attends seventh grade at Hazleton Elementary/Middle School. Her winning word was <em>Mazel tov.</em></p><p><strong>Dominic Thorne,</strong> 14, of Kingston. Son of Dennis and Angelique Thorne, he attends eighth grade at Wyoming Valley West Middle School in Kingston. His winning word was <em>frolicsome</em>.</p><p><strong>Frederick &#8220;Ricky&#8221; Blase,</strong> 13, of Sugarloaf. Son of Frederick and Jeannine Blase, he attends eighth grade at Valley Elementary/Middle School in Sugarloaf. He enjoys soccer and golf.</p><p><strong>Nicole Sanchez,</strong> 12, of Hazleton. Daughter of Elizabeth and Julio Sanchez, she attends sixth grade at West Hazleton Elementary/Middle School. The winning word at her school bee was <em>macaw</em>.</p><p><strong>Rocco Pugliese,</strong> 13, of Wilkes-Barre. Son of Kim and David Pugliese, he attends eighth grade at Bear Creek Community Charter School, enjoys soccer and basketball and taught himself to play guitar by watching youtube.</p><p><strong>Peter Khoudary,</strong> 12, of Dallas. Son of Raymond and Malak Khoudary, he attends seventh grade at Good Shepherd Academy. He enjoys basketball, soccer, piano and forensics.</p><p><strong>Nicholas Wilde,</strong> 14, of Hunlock Creek. Son of Linda and Mark Wilde, he attends eighth grade at Northwest Area High School, where his winning word was <em>ostensibly</em>.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Cassidy McDonald, Lehman-Jackson </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_cassidymcdonald-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Cassidy McDonald, Lehman-Jackson </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_fidel.sanchez-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Fidel Sanchez Jr., Maple Manor </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_fidel.sanchez-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Fidel Sanchez Jr., Maple Manor </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_hailey.petrilla-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Hailey Petrilla, McAdoo-Kelayres </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_hailey.petrilla-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Hailey Petrilla, McAdoo-Kelayres </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_roccopugliese-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Rocco Pugliese, Bear Creek Charter School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_roccopugliese-1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Rocco Pugliese, Bear Creek Charter School </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jessica.trauger-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jessica Trauger, Dunmore Elementary </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jessica.trauger-1.jpg</photo4><caption4>Jessica Trauger, Dunmore Elementary </caption4><photoCredit4></photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dominic.bernardi-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dominic Bernardi, Pittston City Intermediate Center </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dominic.bernardi-1.jpg</photo5><caption5>Dominic Bernardi, Pittston City Intermediate Center </caption5><photoCredit5></photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_darlenenunez-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Darlene Nunez, Heights/Murray </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_darlenenunez-1.jpg</photo6><caption6>Darlene Nunez, Heights/Murray </caption6><photoCredit6></photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_nicole.sanchez-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nicole Sanchez, West Hazleton </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_nicole.sanchez-1.jpg</photo7><caption7>Nicole Sanchez, West Hazleton </caption7><photoCredit7></photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Kayleigh-Correll-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kayleigh Correll, Hazleton Elementary </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Kayleigh-Correll-1.jpg</photo8><caption8>Kayleigh Correll, Hazleton Elementary </caption8><photoCredit8></photoCredit8></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_peterkhoudary-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Peter Khoudary, Good Shepherd Academy </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo9>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_peterkhoudary-1.jpg</photo9><caption9>Peter Khoudary, Good Shepherd Academy </caption9><photoCredit9></photoCredit9></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_frederick.blase_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Frederick Blase, Valley Elementary/Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo10>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_frederick.blase_-1.jpg</photo10><caption10>Frederick Blase, Valley Elementary/Middle School </caption10><photoCredit10></photoCredit10></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TJCONNORS-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Thomas &#8220;T.J.&#8221; Connors, Pittston Area Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo11>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TJCONNORS-1.jpg</photo11><caption11>Thomas &#8220;T.J.&#8221; Connors, Pittston Area Middle School </caption11><photoCredit11></photoCredit11></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_landon.wolk_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Landon Wolk, Drums Elementary/Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo12>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_landon.wolk_-1.jpg</photo12><caption12>Landon Wolk, Drums Elementary/Middle School </caption12><photoCredit12></photoCredit12></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dillon.shaw_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dillon Shaw/Crestwood Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo13>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dillon.shaw_-1.jpg</photo13><caption13>Dillon Shaw/Crestwood Middle School </caption13><photoCredit13></photoCredit13></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_bryanatmic-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bryan Landron, Heights Terrace </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo14>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_bryanatmic-1.jpg</photo14><caption14>Bryan Landron, Heights Terrace </caption14><photoCredit14></photoCredit14></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_shailee.desai_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Shailee Desai, Wilkes-Barre Academy </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo15>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_shailee.desai_-1.jpg</photo15><caption15>Shailee Desai, Wilkes-Barre Academy </caption15><photoCredit15></photoCredit15></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jasmine.beiler-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jasmine Beiler, Freeland Elementary/Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo16>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jasmine.beiler-1.jpg</photo16><caption16>Jasmine Beiler, Freeland Elementary/Middle School </caption16><photoCredit16></photoCredit16></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_kabir.satija-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kabir Satija, Wyoming Seminary Lower School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo17>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_kabir.satija-1.jpg</photo17><caption17>Kabir Satija, Wyoming Seminary Lower School </caption17><photoCredit17></photoCredit17></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_nicholas.wilde_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nicholas Wilde, Northwest Area </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo18>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_nicholas.wilde_-1.jpg</photo18><caption18>Nicholas Wilde, Northwest Area </caption18><photoCredit18></photoCredit18></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_livia.moore_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Livia Moore, Wyoming Area Catholic </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo19>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_livia.moore_-1.jpg</photo19><caption19>Livia Moore, Wyoming Area Catholic </caption19><photoCredit19></photoCredit19></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jamison.bessoir-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jamison Bessoir, Abington Hieghts </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo20>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_jamison.bessoir-1.jpg</photo20><caption20>Jamison Bessoir, Abington Hieghts </caption20><photoCredit20></photoCredit20></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dominic.thorne-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dominic Thorne, Wyoming Valley West Middle School </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo21>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_dominic.thorne-1.jpg</photo21><caption21>Dominic Thorne, Wyoming Valley West Middle School </caption21><photoCredit21></photoCredit21></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_beelogo-1.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p><strong>By Mary Therese Biebel</strong></p><p>mbiebel@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT</p></shirttailMeta></div>

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22 local spellers to take part in Times Leader/Scripps Regional Bee; winner will go to the Washington