Rodney

It was boys' day at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church hall in Clarendon yesterday as The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee team rolled into the parish capital.

Excitement mounted as two boys, Owayne Rodney of St Thomas More Preparatory and Romario Williams of Ritchies Primary, showed that there was no stopping them when they emerged the two final spellers for the parish.

The two 10-year-olds proved their mettle and continued spelling for more than half an hour before Romario stumbled on the word t-y-r-a-n-n-i-c-a-l and Owayne emerged victorious.

Insatiable quest

I-n-e-x-h-a-u-s-t-i-b-l-e and i-n-s-a-t-i-a-b-l-e were two of the words that helped propel Owayne to the top spot and he displayed those characteristics to the fullest - an inexhaustible will to stick it out to the end and an insatiable quest to be the best.

The methodical speller took time out to pronounce each letter clearly and carefully, giving St Thomas More Prep its first feel of the coveted trophy.

However, what was most peculiar to those watching was the fact that Owayne had his eyes closed almost all the way. That, as far as he is concerned, was the ace up his sleeve.

"I close my eyes in order to envision the words. It also keeps me from being nervous and seeing other people," he said.

That's how Owayne kept his cool and managed to outspell 55 other brilliant spellers, many of whom presented a very clear challenge for the trophy.

But the writing on the wall read 'Owayne for parish champ', and it must have helped that coach Beverlie McDonald believes in the power of prayer.

"I don't do anything without asking God's help," she said.

Number of schools: 29

Number of spellers: 56

Overall winner: Owayne Rodney, St Thomas More Prep

Champion girl: Kerry-Ann Palmer, Denbigh High

Winning word: Tyrannical

Top five

1. Owayne Rodney, St Thomas More Prep

2. Romario Williams,Ritchies Primary

3. Kerry-Ann Palmer,Denbigh High

4. Tristen Spencer,Monymusk Prep

5. Andryck Rodgers,Denbigh High