Spellers heat up Morant Bay

Tennesia Malcolm, Staff Reporter

The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee parish finals hit St Thomas in the east yesterday after Tropical Storm Nicole-associated rains forced a postponement of four spelldowns last week.

With the rains in check and the sun returning to a splendid welcome, 43 of the eastern parish's little Bees came out to test their mettle.

It was a hot time in the Morant Bay Parish Church; not only had the day heated up, but the spelling did too.

St Thomas spellers seemed more focused and much improved over previous years.

Against the buzz of the audience, the students gave a good account of themselves for almost two hours.

Renica Peart was back to claim the title that she lost last year. Totally by accident, she said.

"Accidentally, I placed fourth. I knew the word but I spelt it fast so I messed up."

But there was no room for error yesterday. The Middleton Primary student spelled measuredly and consistently until she stood against only one other in the form of Ronaldo Bowie of Trinityville Primary.

It was a more confident Renica who took the microphone, or so she said.

More prepared

The 12-year-old, who had fallen victim to nerves in the 2008-09 national finals, said she was more prepared this time around.

"I think I will do fine because in 2009 when I went, I was very nervous because of the crowd and, some of the words, I wasn't sure of them," she explained.

Not sure of the words, perhaps because she had not fully gone through the Spelling Bee book.

But that mistake, she said, she would not make twice.

Not only is she more mentally prepared this time around, but she also adheres to a strict regimen, where she practises spelling every day for "almost the whole day".

In addition, her principal, Marcia Beckford, Renica explains, "will take me out of my class and I will study".

The result - a cover-to-cover knowledge of the Spelling Bee book which she claims to have gone through five times.

The aspiring Campionite had nothing but praise for the Middleton Primary head teacher.

"My principal helps me a lot and she's the one who let me win here today, and I thank her very much," she shared.

Renica, who harbours hopes of a top-five placing at the national finals next year, revealed her strategy from here on out.

"I think I will study a lot, play less and listen to my principal more this year."

Her winning word was A-B-R-A-S-I-O-N.

St Thomas top 5

1. Renica Peart, Middleton Primary
2. Ronaldo Bowie, Trinityville Primary
3. Yanae Small, Airy Castle Primary
4. Kenardo Matherson, Airy Castle Primary
5. Lori-Kaye Myles, Port Morant Primary and Junior High