Samantha Rhule

On her first attempt, she was second, then sixth, but the third time did it for Samantha Rhule. The 11-year-old took the St Mary leg of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee parish finals on Wednesday at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in the capital.

The top speller not only gained victory for herself, but propelled her school, Clonmel Primary and Junior High, to St Mary's top spot for the first time.

"I feel very happy; I don't know how to explain how I feel," said a beaming Samantha, who was better able to express how she prepared for the Bee.

"My coach Ms Thompson helped me, as well as my mother and siblings," the speller quickly disclosed, adding she knew she "had the ability to win, so I worked very hard; I stayed up in the nights and studied."

Samantha survived an intense top-three battle, which ended only after third-place finisher, Shanice Harrison, stumbled on the word R-E-F-E-R-R-A-L.

Then, after a less intense face-off between champion girl and boy, Samantha forged ahead with the word S-T-A-M-P-E-D-E.

- Tennesia Malcolm

Quick information

Overall champion/champion girl: Samantha Rhule, Clonmel Primary and Junior High

Champion boy: Romario Reid (second), Port Maria Primary

Winning word: S-T-A-M-P-E-D-E

Other top-five spellers: Shanice Harrison (third), St Mary High; Javaughn Reynolds (fourth), Water Valley Primary; Anna-Kay McNair (fifth), Preston Primary

Number of schools: 27

Number of spellers: 52