The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee national competition begins today

Meet another parish champion in this year's competition. The National finals take place today and tomorrow at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Lucea Primary School, in Hanover, has thrown its entire support behind its candidate, Andrene Hutchinson, in The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition, 2007.

"She is a child with great potential and she has a far way to go," said Principal Glenn Shettlesworth.

"Having discovered that potential, we decided to harness it and do whatever we can to support her. We are like a family and so whatever affects one affects all. The students are excited, they want her to do well."

Spelling coach and guidance counsellor, Nadine McIntosh, is no exception; she too is excited by her pupil's success. She is confident that Andrene will do well.

"Last year's parish champion was (also) Andrene. She placed eighth in the nationals while our other champion, Norando Brown, placed fifth (2003)," she said.

Working harder

"I think Andrene's chances are very good because we have been working hard and I think this year she took it (the competition) more seriously than last year. She is a little more mature and as a result she is working harder. Her teacher told me she has also been using the words in class."

Located about a mile out of the Lucea square, Lucea Primary School is no stranger to excellence as it has won a number of Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and 4-Club trophies. The school is also the reigning quiz champion for the region for the past two years. The motto is: "Do it with all thy might."

- Claudine Housen

Hutchinson carries hope

The Gleaner's Children's Own Hanover Spelling Bee Champion, Andrene Hutchinson, and coach, Nadine McIntosh. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

Lucea Primary School student, Andrene Hutchinson, has done it again. The 12-year-old correctly spelt the word chrysanthemum to become The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee champion for Hanover, for the second consecutive year.

A former Hanover Parish Council junior mayor, Andrene placed eighth in the National Spelling Bee competition, last year. Back with a vengeance, she said she was going for the title this year.

'I have the experience'

"Yes, I can win this year. It is a must that I try to win," she said. "I think I will do much better this year because I have the experience."

To this end, Andrene said that she had been studying assiduously, with her morning starting as early as 5 o'clock and her evenings ending at 11 o'clock.

"I study for one and a half hour in the morning before school," she said. "At break I study for 15 minutes, at lunch one hour, and after school about two hours."

"In the nights we (Andrene and coach Nadine McIntosh) study on the phone. Also, I sometimes go up to my coach's house and we study together," she added.

Head girl and peer counsellor, Andrene is seen as a role model by her peers. In fact, her success at the parish finals has earned her so much respect that her schoolmates are contributing to her going to nationals.

School support

"The students in the entire school are contributing their $20 to pay my fare to Kingston; I feel very good about my school supporting me," she said, smiling. "Last year the principal paid."

Obviously a high achiever, Andrene said she drew strength from her family and her spelling coach.

"My parents are very cooperative with the Spelling Bee. They help me a lot. They call words for me," she said. "My guidance counsellor is like a second mother to me, sometimes I am pressured and she helps me with that."

Also studying for her Grade Six Achievement Exams, Andrene said that she would recommend the Spelling Bee to anyone who is up to the challenge as it is sure to improve their communication task scores.