Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) visited Yeshiva Talmud Torah Darchei Chaim on Monday to judge its end-of-the-year spelling bee competition featuring students from grades 4-8. Hikind, who over the past year has visited numerous yeshivas to judge spelling bees, geography and science fairs, left thoroughly impressed with the students� spelling ability.

�These students really left me in awe over how well they could spell,� said Assemblyman Hikind, reflecting on the spelling bee. �It was unbelievable. After I had gone through the prepared list of spelling words, I began asking words that weren�t even on the list because there were so many students still in the competition; they were just that good.�

The visit to Talmud Torah Darchei Chaim comes a day after a community-wide Yeshiva Educational Expo, in which several yeshivas�Krasna, Ohr Moshe, Vien, Spinka and Mevakshai Hashem�gathered to celebrate the hard work and dedication of countless yeshiva students on their secular studies projects.

�Anytime a yeshiva participates in an event like this, where we test the student�s ability to spell, or we challenge them to create a geography or science project, everyone walks away a winner,� Hikind said. �I�m so proud of the efforts that went into studying for the spelling bee. I applaud the rebbes and administrators for ensuring that the students came to the competition very well prepared.�

(YWN Desk – NYC)