The Gleaner's Children's Own spelling bee champion Sade Dunbar ponders a word as she particpates in the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sade finished tied for 13th place. - Photo by Bill Clark
The Gleaner Honour Awards
Today, we continue to spotlight those who have been nominated to receive the 2008 Gleaner Honour Award early next month at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. In the category education, the nominee is Sade Dunbar.Cynics may say that, even with determination, hard work and commitment, you might not succeed. Sade Dunbar has no reason to listen to them.
The Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee All-Island champion for 2008, Sade first came to the attention of the world when she won the St Catherine parish final in 2006. But her journey to excellence had already started. In 2005, Sade finished third in the St Catherine parish final, representing Spanish Town Primary. Her appetite for improvement now whetted, she returned to take the top prize next time around. Sade went on to finish fourth at the national final the following year.
For some that would have been enough, but this young achiever was not content with that effort. She decided to take things to another level and entered 'the bee' again at the parish level (October 2007) but this time, now a student of Immaculate Conception High School, she represented St Andrew. By now a seasoned campaigner in the competition, Sade triumphed again, making her one of a handful of spellers to win for two different parishes.
Smooth sailing
She would have been considered by some to be the favourite, having tested the national final waters before. She promised to better her performance and she did. It wasn't all smooth sailing as the challengers were tough, but Sade topped them all.
Her triumph locally would lead to an even bigger stage as she was Jamaica's representative at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, considered by some to be the top spelling competition for children in the world. Washington DC was the arena for her latest battle and with an expectant local following monitoring her every word, she progressed to the semi-final rounds. She was not to be the last speller at the microphone this time around though, placing 13th out of 288 spellers.
Her prowess in doing well with the books is not exclusive to the spelling world as evidenced by her constant progression in the classroom. Receiving accolades for her work is nothing new either. The Gleaner Honour Award in the Youth category is the latest in her tangible tokens. She also received the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scholarship for the county of Middlesex from The Gleaner in August and recently was presented with another scholarship, this one from the St Catherine Co-operative Credit Union.
Sade's knack for spelling is also present in her brother Jordi, himself a parish champion who placed third this year. Even though her Spelling Bee days are done, she plans to help out other spellers in the local competition, hoping one can take the Scripps title for Jamaica again. Professionally, Sade says she wants to become a paediatrician.
Sade Dunbar - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
