Toney wins local Spelling Bee competition

Dandre Toney promises to work hard to become the champion of the Regional HalibOrange Seven Seas Spelling Bee competition.{{more}}

Toney, a pupil of the Georgetown Government School, won the local leg of the competition, which took place on Saturday, October 22, at Frenches House in Kingstown. The competition, in its 13th year, was organized by the Rotaract Club of Kingstown.

“I feel very happy because this is my first time winning a spelling bee competition,” Toney said smiling, and holding tightly to the certificate of participation he was awarded.

Toney also received a laptop computer compliments Courts, with six months’ free Internet service, compliments LIME. His school also received a three-in-one printer, scanner and copy machine.

Gabriella Snagg was full of pride and confidence after completing two rounds of spelling. Snagg, who placed second in the competition, was ‘very happy’ about her success. The Canouan Government School student, who said that she has had previous experience in spelling bee competitions, added that she is sure her mother, teachers and classmates will be happy to see her, and rejoice with her when she returned to the island. Snagg was awarded an Amazon Kindle and Cash prize of $700.00.

Rounding out the top three was Gomea Methodist School student Shanice Williams, who, though happy about her success, felt as though she could have done better with a some of the words. She walked away with an mp3 player and a cash prize of $500.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT after the competition, President of the Rotaract Club of Kingstown Nickkisha Farrell stated that in her opinion the Finals went well.

Farrell added that the students made good efforts in their spelling but she had hoped to see more support from the students of the participating schools. The Lowmans Leeward Anglican School received a prize for the school with the most support from students.

“The most important thing is that the kids take away something from it,” Farrell stated about the experience of the Finals. She also encouraged students to read vigorously. “The more you read, the more you are exposed,” she said.

The Finals of the competition also heard remarks from sponsors of the event, as well as a representative of the Ministry of Education.

Toney will be this country’s representative in the regional spelling bee competition on November 12, 2011, in St. Kitts.(OS)