The St. Bernard Sheriff's Office showed they could do more than protect and serve by putting their spelling skills to the test at the 25th Annual Rotary Club Corporate Spelling Bee this past Thursday. According to a press release on the Sheriff's Office website, their team consisted of Detective Thomas Gai, Detective Sgt. Brad Alfonso from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and Public Information Officer Kim Gritter.
While the deputies displayed their prowess with the English lexicon, it was the PBF Energy team that emerged victorious, clinching the coveted title of this year's top spellers. Blue Williams LLC managed to snag second place, with the St. Bernard School Board following closely in third. All of these teams participated in an event meant not only for fun but also for charity, as local businesses, organizations, and public offices were invited by the Rotary Club to take part.
Attendance cost for teams was set at $300, an investment that extends beyond a mere competition, funneling into a cause described as worthy. The event not only brought together individuals through playful rivalry but also engaged them with refreshments for sale and the extra enjoyment of raffles and door prizes, all in the spirit of community engagement. Proceeds from the 2025 Spelling Bee were once again allocated to honor the memory of the late Dr. Les Scharfenstein, noted for his tenure as an educator and dedication to the Rotary Club.
Sheriff James Pohlmann, who spoke about the event, emphasized not just the competitive edge but the role it plays in community outreach. "The Sheriff’s Office team was composed of from, left: Detective Thomas Gai and Detective Sgt. Brad Alfonso, both of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and Public Information Officer Kim Gritter," he noted, underscoring the diverse representation from his department.
