- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Her hands could not hide the smile, as Danielle Thomas starts to realise that she is indeed the St. Andrew Parish Champion in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition. She won the title yesterday after spelling 'PARADIGM'.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
FOR THE first time since the 1992 competition, the St. Andrew Parish Champion in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee was not from Ardenne High or Prep School.
Danielle Thomas, 11, gave Kings-way High its first ever hold on the trophy after she outlasted 67 other competitors in a near seven-hour contest at the Gleaner Company's offices on North Street.
The word that took her to victory was 'PARADIGM'.
A delighted Danielle said that she was simply overjoyed.
"I was confident but I was also nervous because I know Ardenne and that they are good, but I just decided that I had to spell my words right and that I would have to do it."
This was the 2nd former's second time in the parish finals. She finished fourth last year.
When it became evident that she was the parish's top speller this year, she put her face in her hands as she slowly realised the streak she had just broken.
EXCITING SPELLDOWN
Danielle won the title after an exciting spelldown with Champion Boy David Madden of Covenant Christian Academy, who was valiant in defeat.
Third and fourth places went to the Ardenne High pair of Stacey-Ann Pearson and Prince Flannigan, while fifth was taken by Rosanna Pike of St. Patrick's Primary.
The Gleaner Sports Club could barely hold the audience that turned out to see the contest that started at approximately 9:45 a.m.
The crowd grew smaller as the day wore on but those who stayed were treated to excellent spelling. For the second time in three days, the Unseen Word file was introduced by Spell Mistress, Shernett Robinson. To the spellers' credit, they got to the "p" words before a champ was decided.
Gift certificates were given to the champion girl and boy, courtesy of Victoria Mutual Building Society and National Commercial Bank, respectively. The champion teacher, the Rev. Glen Archer, received a cash certificate from Jamaica National Building Society.
Lunch was provided for all guests by Tastee and the Jamaica Drink Company.
The spelling takes a break this weekend, but resumes on Monday, November 17, at the Morant Bay Parish Hall in St. Thomas at 9:00 a.m. The afternoon will then see spellers from Portland battle in the Port Antonio Methodist Church Hall scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
