The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee | Jahiem survives ‘redundancy’ in St Thomas

Morant Bay, St Thomas:

Name: Jahiem Simpson

Age: 10

School: White Horses Primary

Coach: Sydoney Edwards-Campbell (teacher)

Winning word: R-E-D-U-N-D-A-N-C-Y

Jahiem on winning: “I feel happy because my teachers are always pushing me to do my best, and I feel proud that I won today, to make them proud.”

The grade six student enjoys listening to music and playing football. The defender admits that he misses playing on the field as he sat out matches to prepare for the Spelling Bee parish finals. When asked about his favourite song, he shyly said Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee. The song features in the movie Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, which Jahiem says he enjoyed.

“I liked the movie because everyone thought the boy wasn’t worthy, but he proved them wrong and showed them that he was,” the 10-year-old bee said.

Coach on winning: “I’m elated! This is our third time trying. We’ve always been in the top five, top girl, but never managed to win, but I’m definitely happy.”

Edwards-Campbell shares that Jahiem it was easy working with Jahiem as he is very dedicated. She boasts that the honour-roll student has been spelling since he was in grade one and shocked the school when the then six-year-old placed higher than some of the grade six students in an internal spelling competition.

Coach on Nationals: “We just have to keep working hard. I don’t know what victory is like. I know it’s hard work, but I plan to get help from persons who have won before.”

Fun Facts

* Both students from Morant Bay Primary finished in the top five.

* For the past 11 years, Morant Bay Primary’s students have placed in the top 10.

Top 5

1. Jahiem Simpson, White Horses Primary

2. Onealia Felix, Port Morant Primary

3. Andre Biersay, Morant Bay Primary

4. Tyreece Johnson, Seaforth Primary

5. Andrene Morgan, Morant Bay Primary