CARLINGTON WILMOT, Freelance Photographer -
Stacey-Ann's mom, Florence Pearson.
AFTER SEEING her daughter come close to being a parish champion, Florence Pearson, now has the pleasure of seeing her get to the prize.
"I've been tagging along on the Spelling Bee since Stacey-Ann was in her first year at Hydel Prep. I would really like to commend her teacher and principal for their work. They initiated her into it," she said.
She remembered how Stacey-Ann, an unknown to the other competitors, finished as the parish (St. Catherine) champion girl and second overall. No encouragement was needed from Mrs. Pearson to get her to try again, this time for Ardenne High in St. Andrew.
"That second year was rough because she was going up against students who were in their third years and others who were very good," she remembered. "Stacey had to raise her standard; she had to demonstrate that she was among the top crop."
So, like any good mother, she encouraged Stacey-Ann to give it another try; mission accomplished. Mrs. Pearson plays an active role in her daughter's (Stacey-Ann is an only child) future. That's why when the chance came for her to work with the Rev. Glen Archer, Mrs. Pearson didn't hesitate to give her permission.
"He gave an outline of the work she would have to do and we readily accepted those terms because it's not geared just to spelling. There are other benefits. It teaches you discipline and commitment to get through. I have seen Stacey-Ann demonstrate those qualities. The programme has also taught her responsibility, how to plan and organise her time," she explained.
But still, she has to be a mother and in tandem with husband, Wentworth, they keep their smart daughter on the right track; not letting her take her work for granted.
"I try to keep her focused, motivated and away from the television," the jovial Mrs. Pearson said. "She has a motto that with God, all things are possible, and it keeps her in focus. I remind her she's doing this to improve herself."
Mrs. Pearson works in the finance field. She said she always leaned toward mathema-tics in school, while her husband works with JUTA Tours in Ocho Rios. She describes the trio as a close family who spend a lot of time together, including at church; Spanish Town Seventh-day Adventist. They work as a team even with the spelling.
"Stacey-Ann does the organisation; my husband and I do the transporting," she jokes.
She assures us that as parents of an only child, Stacey-Ann is not spoiled as "discipline is a priority, no ifs about it."
Barring any late developments, that means there will be two parents at the national final cheering on this young speller.
