Millard Dunbar (right) hugs his son, Jordi, after he won the 2007 Gleaner Spelling Bee Championship for St. Catherine in Spanish Town yesterday. Looking on is Rev. Glen Archer, one of Jordi's coaches. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Spanish Town Primary's Jordi Dunbar triumphed in yesterday's arduous St. Catherine Parish Final of The Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee.

It was a second consecutive win, not only for his school, but also for his family, as his sister Sade took the title last year. But Jordi had to fight to stave off the gallant attempt of McAuley Primary's Davian Stewart who was a tearful second. But Davian received great applause for his performance, considering he is only in grade four. The two were left to battle after the other 55 spellers had dropped out during the approximately four-hour contest. Jordi, who finished third in last year's final, was in a grateful mood.

"I want to thank Rev. (Glen) Archer for his hard work and for training me. I want to thank my sister, my father, my school coach, Mrs. (Gloria) Smith, and my classmates," he said after being mobbed by some of those classmates. His winning word was 'imperceptible'.

Third place went to Peta-Gaye Saunders of Old Harbour High, fourth to Jahneil Williams of Hydel Preparatory and fifth to Kimberly Leckie of Greater Portmore Primary. The first week of this year's parish finals ends today with the St. Andrew spellers competing.