THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 How do you spell winner? P-e-c-u-l-a-t-e By Gayla Cawley other spellers and included a tense, 10-round She took second place in her school’s science Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, ITEM STAFF head-to-head with the runner-up speller, she fair earlier in the day, but if she had placed superintendent of secured a chance to compete in the Scripps rst, she would have had to be at her school at Lynn Public Schools, LYNN — It took 30 rounds, more than 400 National Spelling Bee in May just outside 6 p.m., and would have been unable to make speaks prior to the words and four-plus hours for the winner of start of the 34th annu- the 34th annual Daily Item Spelling Bee to be Washington, D.C. the spelling bee, according to Susan Conti, al Daily Item Spelling determined on Wednesday night. “I’m excited,” Ramesh said. “I’m de nitely controller for Essex Media Group, who was Bee on Wednesday at Ranjana Ramesh, 14-year-old eighth-grad- relieved after everything, but proud too and among the coordinators of this year’s contest. er at Ste Jeanne d’arc Elementary School in everybody did a great job. I’m happy to repre- Ramesh remained calm throughout the com- Lynn City Hall Audi- Lowell, was named the champion at Lynn City sent the region.” petition. She made jokes before spelling sever- torium. Hall Auditorium after spelling “peculate” cor- It may have been a different story on al of her words and was able to collect herself ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE rectly. Wednesday night, as Ramesh may not have With the win, which came after outlasting 60 been able to compete at all. SPELL, A3 St. Mary’s McGee States on track its case for rail By Harold Rivera ITEM SPORTS EDITOR BOSTON — The third time overhaul proved to be the charm for the St. Mary’s girls basketball team. By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF Catholic Central League rival Archbishop Williams LYNN — Mayor Thomas M. Mc- defeated the Spartans twice Gee and Bedford Town Manager during the regular season — Sarah Stanton have been named both by double-digit margins. co-chairs of the Commuter Rail But the Spartans won the one Communities Coalition, which Mc- that counted, defeating Wil- Gee said is focused on “transforma- liams, 62-59, in Wednesday’s tive change” for the region’s com- Division 3 state semi nal at muter rail network. TD Garden. The coalition, a group of munic- Tied at 59 with 22.1 seconds ipal leaders served by the Mas- to play, junior guard Olivia sachusetts Bay Transportation Matela swished the winning Authority’s (MBTA) rail network, 3-pointer from the wing. Wil- represents 175 communities in liams took the ball with 5.4 Eastern Massachusetts. It has seconds to play but the Spar- declared its mission to be coordi- tans denied the Bishops a nal nating “advocacy for all communi- shot attempt. ties served by the commuter rail, “We just played great,” St. and to support planning efforts to Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall transform the rail network to be a said. “There was a certain de- critical part of a modernized tran- gree and we talked about ‘how sit system for Massachusetts.” many times are you going to McGee is focused, as he was let them hit you before you ac- during his time in the state legisla- tually hit them back?’” ture, on improving transportation Pam Gonzalez led St. Mary’s in the city, which he has cited as with 23 points. Gabby Torres being key to Lynn’s economic op- scored 14 points and Matela portunity and will tie into the pri- added 12. Torres and Matela orities of the coalition. each netted four 3-pointers. McGee said the coalition’s prior- The Spartans hit 10 3-pointers ities include focusing on what the ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK in the winning effort. commuter rail should be, smarter “We don’t have a ton of size,” St. Mary’s assistant coach Tim Spinney lifts up Olivia Matela after she drained a rail connections for communities 3-pointer to give the Spartans a win over Archbishop Williams in Wednesday’s Di- ST. MARY’S, A3 vision 3 state semi nal at TD Garden. McGEE, A3 Saugus rewarded A Watershed for female diversity moment for new INSIDE in computer science Saugus scholarship Lynn St. Mary’s, Sacred By Bridget Turcotte By Bridget Turcotte Heart form ITEM STAFF ITEM STAFF pre-K-12 school. A2 SAUGUS — Saugus High School is cele- SAUGUS — In honor of a woman who Opinion brating girl power. dedicated her life to protecting the envi- Charles: Let’s The school earned the rst College Board ronment, the Saugus River Watershed stop giving celebrities Advanced Placement Computer Science Council will help one high school student a pass on criminal Female Diversity Award for achieving pursue an education in public health. behavior. A4 high female representation in Computer Pamela Harris, a board member of the Science courses. Saugus River Watershed Council, died in Sports Schools receiving the award have either September 2017 at age 66. Lynn Elementary 50 percent or higher female representa- From left, Saugus River Watershed Coun- “As a nurse, volunteer member of the Tournament tips off tion in one of the two AP computer sci- cil president Debra Panetta, Jennifer Saugus Board of Health, and Saugus River at Pickering. B1 D’Eon, and Pamela Harris at a fundraiser AWARD, A3 for the organization. SCHOLARSHIP, A3 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 ENTERTAINMENT .......................A7 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 HIGH 53° VOL. 141, ISSUE 81 OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 44° POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 TRAVEL......................................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 OBITUARIES Debra L. Lozzi, 62 Jeffrey S. Middleton, 66 Raymond J. Comeau Jr., 56 1956-2019 PEABODY — Deb- is also survived by TOPSFIELD — Jef- bered as one that lit Raymond Joseph of North Carolina; ra Lee (McCormick) her brothers, Richard frey Scott Middleton, up the room and he Comeau Jr., 56, and his sister, Debra Lozzi, age 62, of Pea- McCormick and his a longtime resident will be dearly missed passed away peace- DeAmelio, of Lynn. body and formerly wife Cindy of Bidd- of Tops eld, died by many. fully in his sleep after He leaves behind of Lynn, died at her eford, Maine, and suddenly on March Preceded in death a lengthy illness. one grandson, Grant home on Tuesday, Robert McCormick 11, 2019 at the age by his father James Born and raised in King. In addition, he March 12, 2019, sur- of Lynn; her sister- of 66. Lloyd Middleton Lynn, he was a grad- leaves behind many rounded by her loving in-law, Deborah Mc- Jeffrey was born and brothers, Lester uate of Lynn Voca- aunt, uncles, cousins, family, following a Cormick of Peabody; in Lynn, where he “Butch” Middleton tional and Technical nieces, nephews, and lengthy illness. She and her brothers-in- graduated from Lynn and John Middleton. High School. friends. was the beloved wife of Nick law and sisters-in-law, Michael English in 1970. He later at- Survived by his wife, Kathryn He owned P&P Heating and His laugh could be heard Lozzi, with whom she shared Lozzi, Vincent and Phyllis Lozzi, tended UMass Amherst prior (Ellis) Middleton; two daugh- Cooling for the past 30-plus miles away, and although we 43 years of marriage. Wayne and Kathy Lozzi, Daniel to beginning his career at GE ters, Marina Middleton and years along with Highland miss him already, we are in- Born in Lynn in 1956, Debra and Laurie Lozzi, and Valerie where he worked as an engi- Kristin Middleton; brother, Fuel and other oil delivery credibly grateful to have had was the daughter of the late and Jim Tracy; her father-in- neer for more than 20 years. James “Jim” Middleton; sister, businesses. Ray took great him in our lives. Merle and June (O’Blenes) law, Vincent Lozzi; and her He was a proud member of Sherilyn Middleton; mother, pride in his work and his cli- Service information: His McCormick. She was a 1974 many aunts, uncles, nieces, the Lynn community, where he Dorothy Middleton; and many ents. memorial service will be held graduate of Lynn English High nephews, cousins and close enjoyed spending quality time nieces, nephews, cousins, and He is the son of the late Joan on Friday, March 15, 2019 in School and received her asso- friends. In addition to her par- with his friends and family life-long friends. and Peter Hrubes. Ray is sur- the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, ciate’s degree from Newbury ents, Debra was predeceased and became involved with The Service information: Jef- vived by his better half of 13 426 Broadway (Route 129), Jr. College of Boston. by her brother Donald McCor- Community Brotherhood of frey’s funeral service will years, Tracey Evans of Lynn. He Lynn. A memorial visitation She worked at Family and mick and mother-in-law Ruth Lynn where he was active for be held in the Zion Baptist leaves behind four daughters, period will be held from 4-8 Children Services as a scal (Werner) Lozzi. many years. Church, 4 Adams Street Ext., Debbie King and her husband p.m., prior to his family me- manager for more than 22 Service information: A Jeffrey will always be re- Lynn, on Saturday at 11 a.m. Jonathan, of Peabody, Dan- morial service at 7 p.m. Di- years.