The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee ‘I’ve always wanted to win’

Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland:

Name: Macheda Myers

Age: 9

School: New Horizon

Preparatory

Coach: Venet Dixon (principal and coach)

Winning word: N-O-B-I-L-I-A-R-Y

Top 5

1. Macheda Myers, New Horizon Preparatory

2. Anastasha Clarke, Manning’s School

3. Dante Ruddock, New Horizon Preparatory

4. Davian Brown, Unity Primary

5. Starr Barnes, Godfrey Stewart High

Macheda on winning: “I feel very, very good to win.”

In 2017, Macheda competed in the Manchester parish finals, representing Knox Junior School, and was runner-up to Karisse Seymour of Bishop Gibson High School. Barrington Wilson, who has had five parish champions, coached her. He was in the audience supporting her this year although she is no longer coached by him and represents another school.

Macheda admits that since participating previously, preparing for parish finals has become easier.

“It’s been so easy for me to study now. I’ve always wanted to win, and now I have,” she said.

Macheda’s thoughts on Nationals: “When I go to Kingston, I will try my very best. No matter where I place, I’ll still be proud of myself.”

Venet Dixon (Coach): “I am elated, totally elated because we have worked assiduously for this. We spent all summer practising, going through all the words, and I’m just giving God all the praise, all the glory, and the adoration. He has done it.”

The school has a spelling club, which prepares students in advance. After a spell-off, the champion boy and girl are selected for more intense training to prepare for the parish finals.