Making the Wright moves

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

Kingston College library's ceiling fan spun lazily as if propelled by a light breeze. It was neither a warm nor cool day. And, Gifton Wright made his presence known by briskly walking through the doors causing a few to glance in his direction.

Gifton, Kingston's finalist in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Championship, has made history for his school by being the first to make it to the national finals slated for Wednesday, February 2 this year.

He looked as if he could easily get lost in a crowd, especially when surrounded by his school peers, as he seemed to brush just five feet in height.

But his large memory bank of complicated words - most people will never be able to spell - makes up for the 12-year-old's stature and to demonstrate this, he shared his favourite word.

"Pibroch," he said.

"Spell that?"

He sighed good-naturedly before obliging.

When asked what the word meant, Gifton chuckled shyly and mumbled something along the lines of 'music'.

This conversation piece led to The Gleaner's photographer whipping out his blackberry to find the definition - a set of mournful variations of the Scottish bagpipe - something to do with music indeed.

"I like the word," Gifton said with a slight shrug and flashing his winning smile. "It's a difficult word because it's misleading in its spelling."

Gifton is one of eight children and hails from Tawes Meadows in Spanish Town. He said he comes from a really fun family but they take spelling seriously.

"Spelling times are serious times," Gifton said, the winning smile fading. "Spelling Bee is most important to me. I have a goal to fulfil and that is to win the national finals.

"It is important that people understand what I have to go through when I'm training."

The veteran spelling coach, Reverend Glen Archer, is in Gifton's corner and practising is four days per week for at least two hours each day. Incidentally, Rev Archer is also coaching Ardenne's Hanif Brown Jr - St Andrew finalist - for the competition.

Gifton, who said he felt intimidated upon meeting Archer, can't remember the last time he played and socialised during lunchtime as he spends most of his time focusing on visualising the dictionary, which he has already been through multiple times.

"I am happy with the training. I don't get stressed and I'm very organised," said Gifton, who organises his study material in boxes labelled with each day of the week.

The bright spark discovered an interest in spelling when he was in grade one at McAuley Primary School in Spanish Town. And, by the time he got to grade six, he felt confident in his ability to spell. So, he signed up for the school's spelling competition.

"When I passed for Kingston College, my teacher (Mr Campbell) called Reverend Archer," Gifton said.

The real prize for the student-in-training would be to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition, held annually in the United States, which he became jittery at the thought of.

Once his spelling journey is complete, he will go back to focusing on his favourite subject, mathematics and enjoying track and field while watching his favourite athlete, Usain Bolt, dominate international events.

But for now, he will eat and drink spelling.

"I've already created history but if I win, I will be the first person to create history again for my school," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow.