(Ricardo Makyn - Staff Photographer) Janielle Walters (foreground) of Glenmuir High School, winner of the Clarendon leg of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition with her mother Delta Peddie in May Pen yesterday.

Ricardo Makyn - Staff Photographer) Jaqueline Carter-Dixon (left) kisses her son Tremaine Dixon of Mavisville Preparatory after he won the Kingston leg of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston offices yesterday.

Glenmuir High's Janielle Walters was indeed in a state of 'ecstasy', as she spelled that word to win the Clarendon Parish Final of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition yesterday.

Janielle topped last year's champion Rajdale Calloo of Monymusk Preparatory School. This was her fourth year in the competition and she was determined to win.

"I kept returning to feel the experience of winning and to make everybody proud of me," a beaming Janielle said. Third went to Latoya Briscoe of Denbigh High; fourth to her schoolmate Kieshan Stewart, and fifth to Deborah Whyte of May Pen High.

In the Kingston final later yesterday, Tremaine Dixon of Mavisville Preparatory School emerged as champion. A composed Tremaine edged out Jessie Ripoll Primary's Jovante Anderson. This was the first year Tremaine was entering the competition.

"I could always spell but I never saw my potential expanding this far," he said, clutching the parish champion trophy. Third went to Jenelle Saunders of Jessie Ripoll, who also finished as Champion Girl for the parish; fourth to Kadijah Thomas of Norman Gardens Primary and Junior High, and fifth to Kayona Witter of Holy Rosary Primary.

Today, the spellers from St. Catherine will compete in the fifth parish final.