After the competition dust had cleared, Deep Creek Primary Schools’, Davia Wright, was the last student standing following six (6) rounds at this year’s Annual Eleuthera District Spelling Bee which was held on Friday, February 8th, 2013, at the Ministry of Education’s Resource Center in Savannah Sound, kicking off around 10:30am.
Notably, the organizers of the 2013 Spelling Bee were successful in presenting a much improved event, circumventing a number of the problematic issues seen in previous years, including; sound quality of the announcer and spellers by having a microphone system in place, improved organization of spellers by having an effective queue method, a clear and upfront reading of a summary of the rules governing the morning’s event – allaying unfounded protests, prepared lists of word meanings, origins and sentences for Dictionary Consultants – minimizing delays, and other marked advancements.
(L-R) Mrs. Althea Gibson, Senior Education Officer; Davia Wright – 1st Place; Fransisca Louis – 2nd Place Winner; Midjina Jose – 3rd Place Winner; and Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson, District Superintendent of Education.
Ms. Wright, was declared the winner after correctly spelling the word, “Grabble” – in correction of her opponent’s misspelling -, and finally, “Fathom” for the win. Fransisca Louis of Windermere High School earned second place, followed by Midjina Jose of North Eleuthera High School in third.
48 students from twelve primary, two all age and three high schools took part in the island wide event, under the auspices of Eleuthera District Superintendent of Education, Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson. Round one, was no easy one, with words like, “Verbiage” and “Taciturn”, taking a huge bite out of the starting number of students, which went from 48 to just 18 going into the second round. Round two was no more merciful, with just 9 remaining to continue the fray.
Round three determined who would vie for first, second and third place, with only three left after eliminations. Round four went quickly with all three competitors determined to stay on, spelling “Mentor”, “Quiver”, and “Windily” correctly. Round 5 saw Midjina Jose of NEHS bow out, setting the stage for the final round of spelling. Windermere’s Fransisca Louis then missed her first word in round six, opening the door for Davia Wright of Deep Creek Primary to correct her misspelling, and go on for the win.
(L-R) Maisy Pinder, Sybil Forbes, Patronella Rolle, Monique Smith, Teri Sands-Bonnette, and Lynton Pinder.
Judges for the event were Ms. Monique Smith, Chief Judge; Mr. Lynton Pinder, 2nd Judge; and Mrs. Teri Sands-Bonnette, 3rd Judge. Dictionary Consultants were Mrs. Sybil Forbes, and Mrs. Maisy Pinder. Mrs. Patronella Rolle of the Career Path Unit in the Ministry of Education served as pronouncer for the Spelling Bee.
The District Spelling Bee Committee, which was made up of members from schools throughout the island included; Mrs. Althea Gibson, Senior Education Officer – Eleuthera District; Mrs. V. Miller, Tarpum Bay Primary; Mrs. Parry Culmer, Senior Mistress – Central Eleuthera High School; Mr. Corey Cole, Harbour Island All Age; Mrs. Daisry Higgs, Principal – Spanish Wells All Age; Mrs. Fontella Knowles, Vice Principal – Preston Albury High School; and Ms. Bryshon Mackey of Wemyss Bight Primary School.
