Regina Bish in action during the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May. She finished tied for 16th place. - Regina Bish Contributor My Love for Spelling began in grade 4 while attending Kensington Primary in 2003. I became a member of the spelling club. That same year, I placed second in the annual Spelling Bee parish finals. Not deterred by failure, and with encouragement from my family and teachers, I decided to try again in 2004. I ended up in second place again. Still not wanting to accept failure because it was in me not to give up and to try until I succeeded, I repeated grade six to give it another try. Faced with negativity and demotivation, I was determined to prove my detractors wrong because I knew I could do it.
Representing my parish
I became the St. Catherine Champion Speller in 2005 and I was on my way to represent my parish at the National Finals. At this time, I was also studying for GSAT, but with my mother's enduring love and support and with my teacher's help (Mrs. Buchanan), I was able to balance both. Training for me was on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, two to three hours each day and the other days I had extra lessons and Saturday classes.
The National Finals took place in February 2006 when I placed second. After the competition, I was able to focus all my attention towards GSAT. I was awarded a place at Campion College, along with three scholarships. I had one final chance at Spelling Bee, but I was very hesitant about it. Thinking of doing this all over again for the fourth time, and the amount of training I had to do, gave me a headache. But with permission from the principal of Campion and the support of my parents and coach, Reverend Archer, I decided to give the competition a last try.
I was representing the parish of St. Andrew, which was always dominated by Ardenne High. I became the Champion Speller for St. Andrew in 2006, and I was on my way to Nationals, where I became The Gleaner's Spelling Bee 2007 National Champion. One of the prizes from this competition was to represent Jamaica at the Scripps Spelling Bee, held annually in Washington, D.C. This was a great achievement for me to represent my country in an international contest. Only a few are awarded a chance to do something like this, so, for me, it was more than awesome.
The journey to Scripps was very tedious. At times, I felt like giving up. But with my mother's persuasion and words of wisdom, I was encouraged and with inspirational notes posted all over my bedroom, I kept focused, determined and dedicated to being the best at what I did. My daily motto also gave me strength, which is quoted from the Bible: Philippians 4 vs 13- "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
Dedicated speller
I also gave up a lot of fun things to get where I was because I believe in working hard and giving 100 per cent in whatever I do. Spelling Bee is not an easy task. You have to be disciplined, dedicated, determined and very focused. Sometimes the words are not easy to memorise, along with knowing the etymology, parts of speech and meaning, but once you have God's help, you can do and be whatever you want to.
The Scripps competition was held on May 30 and May 31 when I was placed 16th out of 286 spellers from around the world, even New Zealand! I thought I did my best and only my best is good enough.
Being involved in Spelling Bee since I was nine has surely made me into a better individual. Spelling Bee has taught me time management, how to be more responsible, and it has also developed my vocabulary.
This whole experience has been fun, interesting and educational. Spelling Bee has made me go places where I would only dream of going, and meet people you would not normally meet on a daily basis. At the national level, the 14 parish champions stay at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel for one week, where the contest also takes place. After the competition, we visit Serenity Park and make courtesy calls on the Minister of Education, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General. If you are lucky to be in the top three, you are off to an all-inclusive hotel on the north coast. Of course, all of this is arranged and paid for by the Gleaner Company. After all that fun is over, it's back to the books to prepare for Scripps.
The experience at Scripps was wonderful. Meeting people from different races and ethnic groups was awesome. We also stayed at one of the best hotels in Washington, D.C., The Grand Hyatt. I also had the pleasure of meeting Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley, and Janet E. Madden, the attaché'- community relations at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., and all the other staff there.
I did not win Scripps, but I am grateful for being there to represent my country and I felt really proud doing so. I know that I am a winner within and I will continue to strive for excellence! This whole experience was a great achievement for me.
I would encourage any child to enter Spelling Bee. However, you have to have parental support and be willing to work hard, be disciplined and to place God at the forefront of whatever you do. Don't let negativity get you down. Instead, turn that negativity into positivity. If you try at first and you don't succeed, try again! Remember, nothing in life comes easy. You have to have the will and the drive to know that if you fail once, don't give up.
To the next Gleaner National Spelling Bee Champion: I wish you all the best, whomever it may be and I know that someday we will have another Scripps Bee Champion from Jamaica.
Thank you, Jamaica
My mother and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following persons for their support and kindness. The Gleaner Company, for its continued support towards education and youth development. They are really unfolding lives and youthful minds. May the Lord continue to bless them.
I would also like to thank my family for their love and support, my coach, Reverend Archer for working assiduously with me to get out the best in me. The principal and staff of the Kensington Primary School and Campion College. Mr. Parkins, my angel in disguise, who made sure that I had the necessary materials. Thank you so much. Ms. Muna Issa, for her hospitality in giving us a week's stay at 'Starfish' in order to conduct a Spelling Bee Workshop. Air Jamaica for awarding us free tickets and first-class treatment to and from Washington. All the sponsors involved in the Spelling Bee. Mr. Graver from the Embassy of Jamaica, who was there for us at our arrival and departure, and who also took me sightseeing in and around Washington.
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank the Lord God Almighty for bringing me here and giving me the strength to do this, because without Him, I couldn't. Thank you.
REGINA BISH is The Gleaner's Spelling Bee 2007 National Champion.
Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley, places a kiss on the cheek of Jamaica's Spelling Bee Champion, Regina Bish, who placed 16th at the 80th Scripps National Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., on May 30. Regina called on Ambassador Shirley at the embassy in Washington, D.C. - JIS photo
The smiling quartet of (from left) Rev. Glen Archer coach; Regina Bish; Karin Cooper, Gleaner corporate affairs and marketing manager; and Janise Manning, Regina's mother, walk through the arrival section of the Norman Manley International Airport in May. Regina competed in the 80th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., last week, finishing in 16th place. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
