THERE WERE a couple of changes from the norm at the Parish Finals of the Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee 2003/4.
One of them was in St. Mary where perennial winners Marymount was overthrown by Patrice Christie from Highgate Primary and Junior High. This sparked quite a celebration within the school with a famous chocolate name.
"It was great jubilation after much anticipation because we felt more or less that a victory was overdue for a big school like this," says principal Claudette Duncan. She says that the school has come close on many occasions, finishing third and fourth in previous years. Since being at Highgate from 1974, she recollects one other parish title.
"Spelling Bee is a continuous item on our school calendar. In fact, we have had a Spelling Bee Club for about four years now," she explained. The formation of the club was even more crucial with the change of schedule of the parish finals, due to Scripps Howard regulations. With the school placing emphasis on getting the children started by Grade Two, the necessary adjustments seem to have been made.
The celebration spread to the Parent Teachers' Association, which made special mention of Patrice and her coach Maxine Henry, while presenting them with gifts at their last meeting. Mrs. Duncan also assured us that she will be present on Wednesday, February 4, when the spelling gets going.
