Andrew Wildes, Gleaner Writer
Gleaner Spelling Bee champion Rosanna Pike gets a welcome honour during a motorcade in her Waterhouse community in St. Andrew as she made a triumphant journey through several streets in the area on April 29. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SCORES OF smiling children and adults poured out of their homes in the community of Waterhouse, South St. Andrew on Saturday, April 29, to celebrate the success of their own Rosanna Pike, The Gleaner's reigning Spelling Bee champion.
The parade began in front of the Penwood Church of Christ, moved to Bayfarm Road, then Bishop and Ballgi avenues before returning to Penwood Road. A ceremony of celebration followed and gifts were presented to the champion speller. These came from churches including Penwood Church of Christ Educational Institute, and the United Waterhouse Church Leaders' Association. A special educational grant of $10,000 was also presented to Rosanna to help her in her academic pursuits.
The national Spelling Bee champion, who appeared relaxed in spite of all the attention, said she felt, "superb and really excited." Rosanna, who is a student at Ardenne High School, said her life was an example to those who stereotyped her community.
"Others say that nothing good can come out of the ghetto, but I am a great example to show that something good can come out of it," Rosanna told The Gleaner.
According to Pastor Winston Jackson of the Waterhouse Church Leaders' Association, organisers of the parade, it was an attempt at lifting the spirit of the community and combating the feelings of hopelessness that influenced the regular violence.
"We thought that we needed to show the community another side of the community, the good side, Pastor Jackson told The Gleaner. "We are proud of what's going on; we feel good that in our ghetto area we have somebody good coming out."
Rosanna Pike won The Gleaner's national Spelling Bee Championship on February 8 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. She was coached by Rev. Glen Archer who also coached Jamaica's only Scripps Howard champion so far, Jody-Anne Maxwell who won in 1998.
Rosanna will participate in the next Scripps Howard Spelling Bee Championships in the United States later this month.
