Tremaine Dixon (right) celebrates with his father, Glenroy Dixon, shortly after winning The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Kingston parish finals at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Before Tremaine Dixon took the top prize yesterday at The Gleaner's Children's Own Kingston parish finals, the Reverend Glen Archer had already become the winning coach with the top six spellers in the competition.

Having trained seven spellers in this year's Kingston finals, held at The Gleaner's North Street, central Kingston offices, Archer was dignified in victory.

When asked about his victory, he replied: "Exhilarating and humbling."

However, he was quick to add: "I take nothing for granted. I never assume anything. I take everything seriously and go back to the drawing board and do my work."

Dixon, who was Kingston's champion last year, defended his title by successfully spelling C-O-L-O-S-S-U-S, from the list of unseen words, to beat last year's champion for the parish of St Catherine, Jordi Dunbar.

A student of Wolmer's Boys, Tremaine humbly indicated that his success was made possible with the help of God.

Thankful

"First of all, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity to actually win the Spelling Bee. Second, I would like to thank my mother and father who worked assiduously with me during the nights and days, and third, I would like to acknowledge my coach and his programme," Tremaine said. "He was the one who did the additional work with me."

Archer, a veteran spelling coach with his contribution dating back over 20 years, has decided to take on 23 spellers this year alone.

Quick information

Winning Word:

C-O-L-O-S-S-U-S

Champion boy/overall champion: Tremaine Dixon, Wolmer's Boys

Champion girl: Taj-Rae Oliver, Vaz Preparatory (third)

Other top spellers:

Jordi Dunbar (second) Vanessa Moo-Young (fourth) Kaylee Reynolds (fifth)

Number of school: 17

Number of spellers: 29