By Roy Sanford, Freelance Writer
Palmer
WESTERN BUREAU:
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD RICHARDO Palmer of Howard Cooke Primary was able to beat the competition when he correctly spelt the word E-F-F-L-U-E-N-C-E. It took almost an hour before the 11-year-old was able to whip Craig Duhaney of Hozanna Prep, in order to represent his parish in the national competition. "I am proud to represent my school and my parish," Palmer told The Gleaner. "It is a good feeling."
A headache and some discomfort did not prevent 11-year-old Tracy-Ann Todd a student at Mountainside Primary School in St. Elizabeth from making it to the top in The Gleaner Chil-dren's Own-sponsored National Spelling Bee in the parish.
She battled Tedroy James of Burnt Savannah Primary for close to an hour before James stumbled on the word A-C-C-R-E-T-E. Todd won the competition by correctly spelling the word A-C-E-R-B-I-C.
The story of Tracy-Ann Todd is a reflection of the hard work and sacrifice displayed by student in schools across Western Jamaica in order to participate in the national competition. The spelling competition, which is to be held next week, have had students involved in dramatic and oftentimes, nail-biting rivalries over the past couple of months in order to have their respective schools represent their parish. In Hanover, 10-year-old Shantel Brisset of Bethel Primary and Junior High, emerged on top after defeating Yovan Shaw of Esher Primary. The two went toe to toe for an hour before Shaw lost on the word A-S-S-I-N-A-T-E. Brisset's winning made her school the champion in the parish for the 21st time.
David Rowe of Frome Preparatory in Westmoreland fought neck-on-neck for twenty minutes with Nicolet Brown of the same school before becoming the winner. Rowe emerged victorious after spelling the word V-E-N-T-R-I-L-O-Q-U-I-S-T. The two hugged each other firmly after Rowe emerged victorious. Nineteen students from schools across West-moreland began the journey to represent their parish in the national championship before the winner finally emerged.
Oshane Clarke of Bellevue Primary School in Trelawny became the winner in the parish after rising above the other 30 spellers in the parish competition. It was a surprising turn of events as he managed to out-spell Camille Fisher of Albert Town Primary School. He promised to give the trophy to his dad who had helped coach him. This is the second year and the second time the school has won the parish competition.
