Catholic elementary school students in Monmouth and Ocean Counties were among those who went toe to toe in tough competition during the 17th annual Scholastic Olympics, hosted earlier this spring by Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River.

Designed to stimulate educational interest and recognize academic achievement on the seventh grade level, the competition involved 19 Catholic, private and public schools competing in three divisions according to school size.

Subject areas included science, social studies, spelling, art, English/ language arts, technology/computers, math and history; the young competitors took written tests, performed computer work, sketched still-life drawings and endured a spelling bee in their quest for medals. Winners will receive financial scholarships if they choose to attend Monsignor Donovan High School.

St. Dominic School, Brick Town, ranked first overall and took home the gold in their Division II grouping; St. Denis School, Manasquan, scored highest in their Division I grouping and landed the silver medal overall.

Other Catholic schools of the diocese who competed (and, in some cases, took home medals) were St. Aloysius School, Jackson; St. Joseph School, Toms River; St. Veronica School, How­ell; St. Peter School, Point Pleasant; Holy Family School, Lakewood, and All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin.

Carol Bathmann, principal of St. Dominic School, told The Monitor, “I am extremely proud of our 7th grade Scholastic Olympic team! They are exceptional students who epitomize a combination of hard work and high expectations. I also congratulate our teachers who set the bar high so students can reach their full potential.”

Principal Trudy Bonavita of St. Denis School was ebullient about her team’s accomplishments. “[The award] is the best gift they could have given to me in this, our 50th anniversary year. People need to see we’re doing a great job educating the children.”