Left) Westmoreland parish champion Jevaughn Salmon of Frome Preparatory School gets congratulations from his coaches Reneita Wood (right) and Arlene Coleman. and (Right):Kirkley James of Lucea Primary celebrates his victory in the Hanover parish final of the Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee yesterday.- photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The 14 parish champions in the 2007/2008 Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee have now been decided.

In Westmoreland, Frome Preparatory's reign continued as Jevaughn Salmon made it 14 straight wins for the school.

Jevaughn was confident of victory.

"I know I am a good speller and I have the potential. If you work hard I know you can get it," he said. Second went to Shadae Campbell of Broughton Primary School; third to Kayla Parchment of Little London Primary; fourth to Shimoy McLeod of Darliston Seventh-day Adventist Preparatory and fifth to Akeemah Robinson of Frome Preparatory.

braved the rain

In the morning session in Hanover, 20 spellers decided the heavy rain was not enough to stop them from competing. In the end, Kirkley James of Lucea Primary School emerged as the best of the bunch, taking the title over schoolmate Tenescia Watson.

"It feels good," said Kirkley. "I came third last year and I thought I would win because some of the other competitors then, are now in high school," he added. Third went to Sabrina Williams of Mount Peto Primary; fourth to Shanice Rose of Green Island High and fifth to Tavon Guthrie of Cave Valley All-Age.

This means that nine girls and five boys have made it to the national finals to be held next February.