By Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter 
BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
THE PENULTIMATE day of the 2004/05 Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee competition saw two more champions booking their trip to Kingston for the national finals next year.
In Hanover, Mount Peto Primary had reason to celebrate as Sharmeelah Martin won the parish title. This was the school's third ever victory but as coach Iris Guthrie stated, the first in a long time.
Sharmeelah smiled only once during the spelldown and that was after she had triumphed.
"I am so happy," she said. "I wanted to win but I was not sure I could do it. I felt confident once I saw I was in the top three."
Second place went to Shanika Small of Bethel Primary and Junior High and third to her schoolmate Dervent Wright, who was champion boy for the parish. Sasha-Gaye Campbell of Lucea Primary placed fourth and Shantel Stephenson of Claremont All-Age, fifth.
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The 22 spellers were presented with biscuits courtesy of Kraft Foods, Bigga soft drinks from the Jamaica Drinks Company and reading and exercise books from Sangster's Book Stores. Teachers were given pens courtesy of The Gleaner Company and refreshing bottled water also from the Jamaica Drinks Company.
In Westmoreland, later in the afternoon 28 spellers, some looking very nervous, competed for the parish championship. In the end, Alicia Lindsay of Frome Preparatory took the title for the second consecutive year.
This is the seventh successive year that Frome is winning the title. Alicia overcame champion boy Delano Campbell of Petersfield Primary who finished in second place overall.
"Winning it last year helped because it made the work easier but my coach, Mrs. Maddan encouraged me not to be over-confident, because that can make you slip up," Lindsay said.
The top five was rounded out by Matthew Daye of Mount Airy All-Age who was placed third; Shantal Haye of Little London Primary, fourth; and Tevin Tomlinson of Unity Primary, fifth.
Today, the final two champions will be found as the parish finals end in St. Elizabeth and Manchester.
