Michael Lee, Gleaner Writer

Andrew Williams, the Spelling Bee winner for St Elizabeth, holds the trophy aloft shortly after he was crowned parish champion. - photos by Ian Allen/staff photographer

Glen Stuart Primary School repeated history yesterday in the St Elizabeth parish finals of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition, held at the Grand Invercauld Great House and Hotel in Black River.

For the second consecutive year, the school produced both champion boy and girl for that parish. Ten-year-old Andrew Williams and eight-year-old Lois Robinson survived to the final spelldown. Williams will proceed to the national finals, having successfully spelt S-Y-M-P-O-S-I-U-M.

Hard work

Maxine Barrett was bursting with joy. Having been coach of the Glen Stuart 'Bees' for 14 years, Andrew is her 10th winner. When asked what her winning formula was, a proud Barrett simply replied, "Just hard work."

She continued: "When I come to school in the mornings, I have to do some spelling with my students."

Barrett acts not only as coach and teacher to both spellers, but also as mother to Lois (who prefers to be called Fiona) for the last two years.

She described her ward, Fiona, as "a very brilliant girl" and she was quick to add that, "Fiona will be here next year."

Although admitting that it takes a lot of time, energy and commitment to prepare her students for the competition, she said this was what she loves.

Quick information

Winning word:

s-y-m-p-o-s-i-u-m

Champion boy/overall champion: Andrew Williams

Champion girl: Lois Robinson

Additional students for top five: Orian Webb (fifth), Abinran Allie (fourth), Shanae Nelson (third).

Number of schools: 21

Number of spellers: 42