Georgetown spell their way to victory
For the second time in four years, The Georgetown Government School has emerged the winners of Karib Cableâs National Schoolsâ Spelling Bee competition.{{more}}
The trio of Heidi Punnett, Kiara Bailey and Jerony John spelled their way to victory in the 9-round contest held at Methodist Church Hall, Grenville Street, last Wednesday, 18 March, 2009.
Punnett said sheâs feels excited about her schoolâs success. The shy 11-year old admitted she thought the words were easy.
John, also 11, said he felt the words were âchallenging but good.â He and his teammates prepared for the event by learning and memorizing random words as a class, a method which proved effective.
An obviously elated Alasbour Williams, Grade 6 teacher at the triumphant school, praised his studentsâ work ethic and the excellent tuition they received in preparation for the Finals.
Williams was adamant that his schoolâs approach to learning played a pivotal role in their success.
âWe teach spelling. We donât test spelling,â he said. That way, he contended, students gained a better understanding of the words.
Even before Georgetown was officially announced as winners, Williams predicted his team would win.
So confident was he of victory that he brought along the entire Grade 6 Williams Toney class to cheer their contestants on.
âIt was a class effort,â Williams said. âWin or lose, we all wanted to be here.â
This was Georgetown Governmentâs second victory in Karib Cableâs National Spelling Bee. They also won the inaugural competition back in 2006.
As champs, the school will received a 3-station computer lab complete with printer and scanner, courtesy technology retailer Computec. In addition, Karib Cable will provide them free Internet access for life – a total package valued at over EC$10,000.
Second place, Marriaqua Government School received two computers, a printer and a scanner and Sion Hill Government School, which placed third, walked away with a computer.
According to Karib Cableâs Marketing Manager, Justin John, all computers will receive full service support thanks to Computec and its Managing Director Michael E. John.
Students at the top-placed schools also were presented with medals and red messenger bags adorned with the Digicel logo from Kelly Glass, Managing Director of Karib Cable and Edmund Joachim, Digicelâs Marketing Executive.
Each competitor also received books just for taking part.
Judging the competition this year were Karen Thomas, Hannah Browne, Kay Martin Jack and Carol Ross, all representatives of the Curriculum Unit in the Ministry of Education and Ercelle John Thomas, Vice Principal and English teacher at the St. Martinâs Secondary School.
Thomas held double duties as judge and the competitionâs official word pronouncer.
The event was carried live on Karib Cableâs local programming channel K45. (SC)