Almost 40 parishes, along with Catholic schools and academies, participated in the Brooklyn and Queens Regional Religion Bees sponsored by Sadlier, Inc., in collaboration with the diocesan Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis.
Nelsa Elias coordinated the event for the diocese along with a team of volunteers, and Anna Ferraiolo from Sadlier, Inc.
The local finalists from Queens competed at Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy, Richmond Hill, on March 6 and the local finalists from Brooklyn completed at Holy Angels Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge, March 8.
The children, competing in two grade levels, grades three through five, and grades six through eight, were asked various questions about the Catholic faith dealing with the liturgy, prayer, saints and the Bible.
The regional winners are:
Brooklyn Catholic Schools and Academies (Grades 3-5)
1st Place: Ariana Ayala, St. Ephrem School, Dyker Heights
2nd Place: Chloe Cuevas, Salve Regina Catholic Academy, East New York
3rd Place: Ryan Marano, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy, Marine Park
Honorable Mention: Patrick Glancy, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy
Brooklyn Catholic Schools and Academies (Grades 6-8)
1st Place: Michael Loccisano, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy
2nd Place: Anthony Pinto, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy
3rd Place: Scarlett Cordero, St. Brigid Catholic Academy, Bushwick
Honorable Mention: Daelyn Pena, St. Brigid Catholic Academy
Queens Catholic Schools and Academies (Grades 3-5)
1st Place: Raniel Pasaoa, Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy, Jamaica
2nd Place: Violet Dutton, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy, Forest Hills
3rd Place: Nickolas Talusan, Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy, Jamaica
Honorable Mention: Naomi Goya, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy
Queens Catholic Schools and Academies (Grades 6-8)
1st Place: Ann Torres, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy
2nd Place: William Valentin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, Ozone Park
3rd Place: Ana Mauro, St. Luke Catholic School, Whitestone
Honorable Mention: Yudraj Tiwari, Jr., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, Ozone Park
Queens Parish Religious Education Programs (Grades 3-5)
1st Place: Christopher Perez, St. Michael, Flushing
2nd Place: Shane Aird, Christ the King, Springfield Gardens
3rd Place: Mateusz Saczko, St. Adalbert, Elmhurst
Honorable Mention: Joseph Torre, St. Adalbert
Queens Parish Religious Education Programs (Grades 6-8)
1st Place: Allen Nieva, St. Adalbert
2nd Place: Sara Flores, Our Lady of the Angeles, Rego Park
3rd Place: Shanyla Desamours, Christ the King
Honorable Mention: Christopher Sanon, Christ the King
Finalists from each grade level are now studying and gearing up to compete in the Diocesan Religion Bee at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston on May 8.
