PHOTOS BY CARLINGTON WILMOT, Freelance Photographer -
Stacey-Ann Pearson of Ardenne High School, the St. Andrew parish champion of the Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition.
AN INSATIABLE appetite to be the best has paid dividends for Stacey-Ann Pearson, as she will represent St. Andrew at the national final of the Spelling Bee.
Stacey-Ann had participated in the Spelling Bee parish finals for Hydel Prep in St. Catherine while she was in Grade 6. She finished as champion girl, but had to settle for second place. Her second year in the competition was a tough one, as this time she was competing in the St. Andrew final for Ardenne High. She placed third, but was determined to try again.
"Growing up, I saw lots of spellers win and I thought it would be really great if I could do that," Stacey-Ann said. "Entering the third year, I was really confident that I could do better having had two years' experience; I knew I could do it."
WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION
She defeated schoolmate Jermaine Thomas, giving the school a quinella after losing the title last year to Kingsway High. The weight of expectation for Ardenne to retain the crown was not much of a problem.
She says that the Spelling Bee has enlarged her vocabulary and given her a greater appreciation for words. Preparing for the final has also helped her to organise her time better. Her favourite subjects are French and mathematics, but she also does well in literature and history.
The champion speller also loves to read comics and plays netball and tennis whenever she can. Stacey-Ann is the only child for Wentworth and Florence Pearson and attends the Spanish Town Seventh-day Adventist Church.
She is always cognizant of showing gratitude to all those who aided her development. She starts with her principal and teacher at Hydel Prep,
who were the first to work with her and hone her talents.
"I thank God for giving me the opportunity and with prayer and trust I can be successful. Rev. Glen Archer (her current coach) is always dedicated to his work and I thank him for helping me," she said.
