MCPHERSON
THE YOUNGEST competitor in this year's Spelling Bee hails from Portland.
Nine-year-old Daniele McPherson was a picture of calmness as she took the parish title over more experienced and older spellers.
"It doesn't matter how big they are, you still have to spell better," she says.
She wanted to enter because she saw herself as a champion. She was right. Her victory was the second straight for Fellowship Primary and Junior High.
"I wanted her to enter because I know she can spell very well and she's a bright child," says her father Peat McPherson. He believes Daniele has grown in confidence and will do well. He also claims he "wouldn't miss the final for the world".
Daniele believes the Spelling Bee has helped her with other subjects too, because she is familiar with more words. She wants to become a lawyer.
