Left: Deneisha Campbell (centre) of St. Hilda's Diocesan High School for Girls gets a big hug from mom Jacqueline Campbell, after she won the St. Ann Parish Final yesterday. Sharing the moment is last year's champion Anna-Kay Bromfield, who coached her schoolmate to the title this time around. Right: Monifa Young of Marlborough Primary cradles the St. Mary parish champion trophy after winning the title yesterday. - Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Monifa Young of Marlborough Primary walked away with the St. Mary parish title yesterday on Day six of The Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee competition.

Monifa, who finished third last year, was happy to have gone all the way this time.

"I chose to enter again because I felt that this time I would win," she said. Monifa spelled 'lengthen' to win after runner-up, nine-year-old Nashelle Hird of Gospel Chapel Preparatory School, couldn't spell 'ledger', which would have given her victory.

Third went to Rashana Lowe of Annotto Bay High; fourth to Port Maria Primary's Romario Reid, who was one of only three boys in the top 15; and fifth to Ra-Sheeda Smith of St. Mary High.

St. Ann action

In the afternoon final in St. Ann, Deneisha Campbell of St. Hilda's Diocesan High School for Girls took the title over York Castle High's Oberto Peart. Deneisha was coached by her schoolmate and last year's champion, Anna-Kay Bromfield.

"I started practising and she motivated me to continue. She gave me tips on how to succeed," said Deneisha. Third went to Andrene Campbell of Brown's Town Primary; fourth to Dale Byles of Ocho Rios Primary, and fifth to Robert Wright of St. Ann's Bay High and Preparatory.

The finals continue today with contests in Trelawny and St. James.