By Daviot Kelly, Staff ReporterTWO MORE champions were crowned in the Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee Parish Finals yesterday.
In Trelawny, nine-year-old Ramia Coleman of Wakefield Primary triumphed over 31 other spellers to win the title. He beat out older rivals Vanessa Boothe of Clark's Town Primary who was second and third-placed Alyssa Powell of Granville All-Age who was the defending champion.
When asked whether he was confident of victory, Ramia admitted that he wasn't.
"I was nervous sometimes but I overcame it," he said, grasping his trophy while his excited coach hug-ged him. The top five was completed by Jeffrey Newman of First Hill All Age who was fourth and Shara Frater of Albert Town Primary and Infant placing fifth.
In the afternoon spelldown in Montego Bay, Ekta Dudani of Mt. Alvernia Prep became the fourth girl champion and the 10th overall champion as she pulled off a nail-biting victory over Autley Marrett of Catherine Hall Primary. Autley could have won it if he had spelt accommodation but missed it and Ekta eventually won with the word b-a-c-i-l-l-u-s, which means rod-shaped bacterium.
"I was hoping that I would at least come in the top five because I had prepared so hard. Now I feel great," said Ekta before being mobbed by her classmates and family members who attended the spelldown at the Mt. Alvernia High School.
The parish champions for Hanover and Westmoreland will be decided today as the parish finals continue.
RUNAWAY BAY, St. Ann:
YAREK YANKANNAH of Ocho Rios Primary is the parish champion for St. Ann for the second consecutive year in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition.
Yarek yesterday triumphed over a very excited Abigail Doodnaught-Singh of Lime Hall Primary. "It feels very good and all I have to do now is work hard to reach the top in the national final," he said.
The packed Anglican Church Hall in St. Ann's Bay could barely hold the 56 spellers and the spectators who came to the event. The top five was completed by Chantelle Smith of Moneague Primary and Junior High who finished third; Raymond Francis of York Castle High, fourth, and Sandreka Whittingham of Hampton Preparatory placing fifth.
RAINY MORNING
Earlier, a rainy morning in Port Maria greeted the 35 spellers who vied for the St. Mary championship. At the end of the hour-long contest, Towanda White of Oracabessa Primary won the title beating Kristoff Forrester of Annotto Bay High.
Towanda was cool and collected during the contest and never looked troubled.
"I knew that with determination and the help of my coach, Mrs. Pink, I would be successful," she said.
Javier Brown of Gospel Chapel Preparatory was third, Sherane Francis of Hillside Primary was fourth and Khalilah Scott of Castleton Primary and Junior High was fifth. The competition got off to a delayed start as bad weather forced some schools to arrive late.
The teachers were presented with pens courtesy of The Gleaner Company and water from the Jamaica Drinks Company. Spellers were given exercise and reading books from Sangster's and snacks from Kraft. Accommodations were provided for The Gleaner team by Superclubs' Breezes Runaway Bay resort.
