THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to welcome our champion speller, Cornel Grey, to the shores of the United States. I hope that every individual of Caribbean ancestry will join me in expressing our pride in his achievements to date. Whether or not he finishes on top, we support him wholeheartedly.
I am glad to hear of the effort being put in by both Daniel and Danielle Thomas - spelling champions themselves - to help Cornel. What an example to the adults! We know of the preparation by his relatives, teachers, and of course The Rev. Archer. Congratulations to those who have worked for years with these students.
There is one concern that I have with the psychological implications of coming to the US to compete in the Scripps Howard spelling championships. I notice that there is this feeling of visiting a so-called first world country and all that this connotes. Words are words and it does not matter whether you are in the 'first-' or 'fifth-' world. These types of man-made barriers are neither important nor relevant. In fact they are immaterial. What is more important is to learn the spell-master's diction and the differences in pronunciation and spelling of some words.
Encourage Cornel to conduct himself properly, do his best and let the results be self-evident. I am delighted to hear that he prays about it. Now, that will calm the young man and help to strengthen his confidence. I know that the Rev. Archer will be very supportive in this area. To the parents, relatives, teachers and friends we say keep the faith and spread it gently. God bless.
I am, etc.,
IZETT GORDON
izettg@reallifecomputers
.com
Atlanta, USA
Via Go-Jamaica
