ARCHER

It can't be easy grooming young minds and keeping them focused on a specific task. So credit the work of Rev. Glen Archer.

The spelling master has achieved an unprecedented feat in Jamaican spelling; 20 national champions. That's more than any other coach in local history. He can remember every champion and the year they won from Karla McNish (1986), to current champion Regina Bish.

He remembers Rusanna Roberts (1988), who he recalls had a little difficulty with the English language. He reminds us of Charles Deans (1993) who was so laid back, to the average viewer he might look uncommitted to the work. And he recalls the ones he knew were champs the minute he saw them including Shanna Ricketts (1994) and Garfield Grandison (1987, not the The Gleaner's editor-in-chief). He cites past champions Cornel Grey and Stacey-Ann Pearson (2004 and 2005 respectively) for their continued support of his current spellers.

Ministry

"When I started this, it was as a ministry to children. That's why I've been in it for the long haul; to help children bring out their best. Spelling Bee was the vehicle," he explains. The Scripps National Spelling Bee is no longer a 'holy grail' for Jamaicans to aspire to. But the odds are still stacked against us. "We have limited time to prepare. Then there are the nuances of what I call the 'American English' especially the pronunciation and then there is the non-competitive challenge we have because we can only send one speller," he explained.

After so many triumphs at the local level, he no longer looks at wins. His main goal now is to maintain and elevate the standard of the local spelling hence his reason for taking spellers as far away as Montego Bay.

"I see in every Jamaican child a champion," he declares. To keep this level going, he is trying to finish a book which would explain his methods and winning technique. He's trying to settle that before retiring.

"I want to besure that I can leave a legacy," he says.

- D.K.