THE VENUE was the Gleaner Sports Club, one day in November 2003, and 21 spellers competed in the Kingston Parish Finals of the Spelling Bee.
When Kevaughn Newland emerged as the champion of that four-hour plus competition, she was one of the first persons to congratulate him, hugging him and planting a kiss on his cheek. 'She' is his mom Mavis Newland. That victory has stayed in her mind since.
"From he was in all-age school (Red Hills all-age) he usually took part in spelling competitions there," she remembers. "When he passed for Camperdown, a letter came in the package that any child who was interested in the Spelling Bee should sign up." She didn't hesitate when he wanted to do it. Hence her reaction, when he took the title.
ONLY SON
Pride in her only son (Kevaughn has two older sisters) has increased as he repeated as parish champion when he won again in November of last year.
"I feel great about it (his triumph). Seeing that he's a boy and some of them don't always show the interest," she explained. She shyly stated that while Kevaughn has traits from both her and his father, he takes the 'academic side' from her.
For the last nine years, she has worked at the Nu Look Cleaners dry cleaning store on Red Hills Road. It's not exactly her dream job, but as a mother
helping to provide for her three children, she does her job with glee and determination. The Manchester-born woman ensures that all her children do not slack off where the schoolwork is concerned.
"My children have a timetable that I set up which tells them what they should do. When I get home (having left work about 5 p.m.), I ask them about their homework because that comes first," she said. She even bolsters Kevaughn's training for the
national finals by going through the Spelling Bee book with him every night. Along with physically aiding their work, she also gives emotional support.
STUDY HARD
"I always remind them that in order to excel,
you have to study hard. Whatever you want,
you must work hard to achieve it," she tells them. Speak to Kevaughn and you get a sense that he's
a 'church-going' young man; the family attends
the Faith Christian Missionary Church of God.
This belief directs everything in their lives: triumphs and failures.
"Regarding the National Final, I leave it in the hands of God. With him, all things are possible. Wherever Kevaughn places, it's his will." We know he'll have a big hug waiting for him when it's over.
