By Lovern Hayes,
Staff Writer
THE TABLES were turned on the girls yesterday as the boys in St. Thomas and Portland made their move in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Parish Finals.
In St. Thomas, 37 students (18 boys 19 girls) participated and by 10 a.m. the number was cut to 20. They were an even match of 10 boys and 10 girls; but one hour later there were only five spellers standing, three boys and two girls.
For the most part, spellers were careful in their approach to spelling the required words; however, there were instances when it was evident that spellers, having studied the textbook, were relying on their memory to get them out of the bind.
In the end, nine-year-old Kemar Johnson, of White Hall Primary, having been unable to spell 'EFFICIENCY' placed fifth. 'ERADICATE' stumped ten-year-old Navor Townsend, of Ducansfield Primary, who was fourth. Third place went to 11-year-old Sophina Graham, of Trinityville Primary, who was unable to render FICTITIOUS.
Bath Primary's Orette Burke and Middleton Primary Keisha Crooks, rallied for a long time before 11-year-old Burke fell to MAHOGANY. He therefore had to settle for the boys champion title. Crooks also 11 years old, then went on to win by accurately spelling MALARIA.
In Portland, there were 29 spellers registered to complete -- 14 boys and 15 girls. As was the case in St. Thomas, the boys took three of the top five positions, including the coveted parish champion title.
The spelldown began at 3:15 p.m. and in the space of 30 minutes 15 spellers were eliminated. At the intermission, there were only seven boys and eight girls left standing.
By the next intermission at 4:10, there were five boys and two girls left in the competition. Eleven-year-old Roger Lee, of Buff Bay Primary, was a confident speller throughout the competition, but he was felled by REVULSION. He therefore had to settle for fifth place. The spellmaster had barely gone into the "Intermediate Words" before Kayann Watson, of Happy Grove High, bowed out of the contest. The 13-year-old was unable to correctly render 'ARCHITECT'. Third place went to Odayne Steele, of Bradford Prep, who was bowled over by 'BARRAGE'.
Boston Primary's Devonia Majia, one of the most confident spellers, was overwhelmed by CARAMEL and so had to settle for second place leaving 11-year-old Chase Roberts, of Norwich Primary, to take the first prize. Roberts spelt 'CARAMEL' and then went on to win 'CATEGORY'.
Competition continues this morning at 9:00 o'clock at the Emmanuel Baptist Church hall in Port Maria, St. Mary.
