Michael Lee, Gleaner Writer

An elated Loren Ashley of Campion College and her coach Reverend Glen Archer celebrate yesterday after Ashley won the title of St Andrew champion in The Gleaner's Spelling Bee competition. - Ian Allen/Staff photographer

THE AUDIENCE was on the edge of its seat yesterday as Campion College's Loren Ashley and Feron Grandison from Jamaica College gave it their all to prove who was St Andrew's best speller in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition.

When the contest was over, 12-year-old Ashley came out on top by successfully spelling D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-A-R-Y, which was from the list of unseen words.

"I am just elated! I am just so glad that I have finally won!" said the speller who was entering the competition for the third time.

The audience at The Gleaner's North Street offices was the largest since this year's competition kicked off on Tuesday, with a total of 60 spellers from 32 schools. Six parish champions - St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Kingston, St Catherine and St Andrew - have already been determined, with eight other finals slated for next week.

Ashley's coach, the Reverend Glen Archer, said, that it would be a lot of hard work preparing for the national finals. "I feel very elated and I thank the Lord again ... Hard work pays off," he said.

Ashley, a first-form student, said she was nervous during the final spelldown, having spelled a word incorrectly.

Quick Information

Winning Word: D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-A-R-Y

Champion Girl/Overall champion: Loren Ashley, Campion College

Champion Boy: Feron Grandison (second), Jamaica College

Other top five spellers:

Sebastian Reid (third), Travis Reid (fourth), Chris-Ann Bryan (fifth)