By Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter 
IT WAS 'last time lucky' for Trudy-Anne McLeary as she became the 44th Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Champion yesterday.
The 13-year-old Ardenne High school student who is in her final year of eligibility, topped 13 other parish champions by spelling the word DROMOMANIA (a love of running).
Fighting the effects of the flu, she had earlier missed the word 'vicarage' in the semi-final round which started a little after 9 a.m. yesterday.
As it became clear she had won, the audience erupted into loud applause as Trudy-Anne rushed to the arms of her coach, the Reverend Glen Archer. She pumped her fist in delight as a small contingent of Ardenne High students let out whoops of delight in celebration of their colleague.
Trudy-Anne outlasted St. James champion Kimberley Roper who tripped up on the word AUSTRALOPITHECUS (an extinct primate whose fossils are found in Africa) in the final spelldown. Kimberley, who was a little disappointed, was still more than pleased with her effort.
"I achieved what I wanted, second is just as good as first," she said afterward. Kimberley, who attends Ho-ward Cooke Primary, spelt confidently throughout the competition, and overcame several tough words before the final spelldown.
Amid much anticipation, the spellers began their quest yesterday morning in the semi-final round. When not taking their turns, spellers either hung their heads or rubbed their hands showing signs of tension inside the chilly Hilton Kingston Hotel ballroom. The occasional feedback from the microphones and the occasional ringing of cell phones, did not deter the spellers however, as only three of them missed a word.
The scores from Tuesday's dictation played a major role in deciding the seven finalists. Officials reminded the audience at the start of the final session that the mistakes from the dictation were added to the mistakes of the final day. As a result, some spellers who did not miss a word in the semi-finals, were still eliminated before the final round.
The tears of disappointment flowed freely as the other seven realised they would not be able to go further. The top seven was completed by third place Krislee Nelson of Ocho Rios Primary, fourth place Jenelle Taylor of Mandeville Primary and Junior High, Kimberly Brown from Glen Stuart Primary, who came fifth, Brandon Dixon of Frome Prep, who, aside from taking sixth place was All Island Champion Boy and Tone Wilson of Bethel Primary and Junior High, who completed the seven. Donique Francis of Monymusk Prep won the Edwin Allen Trophy for Comprehension.
After two days of rigorous competition, the spellers finally have a chance to relax. They were feted to dinner at the hotel last night and will tour Kingston and Port Royal today. They will also pay courtesy calls to the offices of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Education and the Gleaner Company. They will then be treated to lunch at Restaurant Associates, Burger King.
