Coffee, normally a vital part of our daily routines, was also the winning word in the annual RYNJ Lower School Spelling Bee.

As the RYNJ fourth and fifth graders filled the room, student-made banners, signs and posters popped up, cheering on classmates who had advanced to the final round. The RYNJ Spelling Bee had an added layer of excitement this year as the entire event was livestreamed on the RYNJ website, RYNJ.org/bee. Parents and family members were able to tune in from home or office.

Thirteen finalists took the stage and correctly spelled words like “magma,” “masterpiece,” “gusto” but missed others like “announcer,” “grumbling,” and “cymbals,” until only two were left.

Brothers, Gilad and Avishai Jutkowitz, were the last two standing. After a tight final round, “coffee” was the difference, declaring Gilad the winner and immediate favorite for next year’s Bee.