Port Alternative to Violence Program Holds Spelling Bee Contest

It’s the summer break, and to help keep the little ones’ minds sharp, the Department of Youth Services under its Alternative to Violence Program, today held two rounds of a spelling bee contest for children from primary and high schools in Belize City. It’s the second of its kind that the Port Loyola Alternative to Violence Program has held and it mimics the National Coca Cola Spelling Bee in several ways, including the integrity with which the words lists are selected and secured.  News Five spoke with the President of the Port Alternative to Violence Program, Natalie Augustine, about the event.

Natalia Augustine

Natalia Augustine, President, Port Alternative to Violence Program

“The whole purpose of this spelling and bee is to get the different communities in Belize City together in one place to, to, um, be more engaged in family oriented activities. It’s both out of school and in school youth. It’s very open, the Spelling Bee is always open for any participants to participate. As long as they want to participate in the, the Spelling Bee, they can register to be a part. So, with the – well they contact the Port Innovators along with our partner, the library service or the department of youth service if they wanted to register for the Spelling Bee.”

Marion Ali

“How receptive have they been?”

Natalie Augustine

“Very receptive. The only thing we have, the only challenge is that some of the kids get nervous along the way, but it’s very receptive. They are pretty much involved in the program.”

Marion Ali

“And prizes?”

Natalie Augustine

“Prizes for the first place, we have $250. They receive a tablet and also they receive a bag with stationeries in there. We got help from the National Library Service, specifically the Port Public Library, though that ministry was the one involved in putting together the words. We had no involvement in the words per se. They put together the word and even the reserve sheet as well.”