It was smooth sailing in the St Thomas Parish finals of The Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee Competition at the Morant Bay Parish Church on Tuesday. After a less than two-hour spell down, a soft-spoken Renica Peart, from Middleton Primary, emerged champion, correctly spelling N-E-G-O-T-I-A-T-I-O-N.

Middleton Primary had taken the parish finals 30 times before. The first-time entrance revealed that a winning formula was study, and more study.

"I study at school with my teachers and I study when I go home," said the 10-year-old speller, who said she entered the competition to "prepare for the future".

Guidance counsellor Lavern Ross-Graham, who assisted with Renica's training, elaborated on that preparation.

"We all worked together ... and we are planning on having a spelling club to boost the students (for the national finals)."

Renica believes this work will pay off and that she will win the top award next year ("if I work hard").

Quick information

Overall champions/champion girl:

Renica Peart, Middleton Primary

Champion boy: Demar Adams

(third, Port Morant Primary and Junior High)

Winning word:

N-E-G-O-T-I-A-T-I-O-N.

Other top five spellers: Kadiann Lewis (second, Lystra Primary), Hanis Brown (Airy Castle Primary), Shantelle McInvoa (fifth, Trinityville Primary).

Number of schools: 17

Number of spellers: 34.