Left: Daniel McPherson, winner of the Spelling Bee spelldown for Portland, shortly after she won it for the third year in a row yesterday. Right: St. Thomas Spelling Bee winner, nine-year-old Kameice Francis of Port Morant Primary and Junior High School, poses with the winner's trophy shortly after taking the spelldown for St. Thomas, yesterday. - Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Daniel McPherson of Fellowship Primary and Junior High School, made it three consecutive wins as she took the Portland Parish Final in the Gleaner Spelling Bee competition yesterday.

Daniel fought off the strong challenge of Alina Roberts of Norwich Primary, to take the crown again.

"I told myself not to underestimate anybody because of their age," said Daniel afterward. "I feel very happy for representing my school and community well," she added.

Third place went to Shaniel Wilson of Boston Primary and Infant School; fourth to Rodane Taylor of Norwich Primary and fifth to Tishae Malcolm of Boundbrook Pirmary.

In St. Thomas, earlier in the day, Kameice Francis of Port Morant Primary and Junior High became the second nine-year-old to become a parish champion in this year's Spelling Bee competition.

Kameice was one of the 27 spellers who braved the rainy weather to compete in the St. Thomas final.

"I was nervous a lot. I don't even know how I stayed calm," admitted Kameice. So intent was she on spelling her word that she did not realise she had won. Second went to Shannel Raymond of Wilmington Primary School; third to Odain Mowatt of Middleton Primary; fourth to Karen Jacques of Trinityville Primary School and fifth to Sadeena Segree of Morant Bay Primary.

The parish finals continue today with the St. Mary and St. Ann finals.