Stacey-Ann Pearson, All-Island Champion of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee 2005, holds her trophy aloft, at the end of the finals at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston in February. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
LIKE THE Muslims who journey to Mecca annually, children from around the world will soon congregate in the United States capital of Washington D.C. for spelling's top prize.
The Scripps Howard Spelling Bee Championship takes place on June 1 and 2 and Jamaica's champion, Stacey-Ann Pearson will be among the competitors. Stacey-Ann, her parents, and The Gleaner's Corporate Affairs Manager Karin Cooper left today. Her coach Rev. Glen Archer will not be able to make the trip due to ill health.
But his 15 weeks of intense, meticulous preparation with Stacey-Ann, including two workshops at SuperClubs resorts, have brought her to this point.
"As anyone else would feel I'm a bit nervous but God has been guiding me. I am grateful for the assistance from a team of past spellers who have helped me," she said in a recent interview. That group includes Kevaughn Newland, (Champion Boy and second-place finisher to Stacey-Ann at the National Finals in February); Cornel Grey, 2004 National Champion and Garth Faulkner who was Champion Boy in 1992.
POSITIVE QUALITIES
Rev. Archer has taken their preparation to new levels. He has to, in order to keep up with the competition. This includes referencing with the Webster's Unabridged dictionary on computer. This intense work was nearly to his detriment as high blood pressure subdued his movements in the latter stages.
Rev. Archer will tell you that all spellers are different but he sees some positive qualities in Stacey-Ann.
"She's very obedient; she listens to instructions to the letter. She is self-motivated and she's tireless. She will keep working to make sure things are done. Overall, she has the right attitude," the coach said. His only fear is that she sometimes over analyses a word; expecting a tricky spelling. But Rev. Archer has been reminding her that "spelling is a science".
Stacey-Ann is confident that with the preparation and learning from the errors of past spellers, she will do well.
"I don't know what to expect but we've put in a lot of work so right now it's in God's hands. My coach and I believe we can do it only with God's grace and mercy."
