Shandel Parham is Belize District’s Top Speller

The Twenty-first National Coca-Cola Spelling Bee is underway and the Belize District Finals were held today at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium.  Of the sixteen participants who competed, Shandel Parham of Saint Ignatius Primary School would clinch first place by correctly spelling the word lucubrate.  It’s a seldom used word in day-to-day language but it simply means a long study, especially at night.  Parham successfully bested her opponents and will be advancing to the national finals in Corozal in the days ahead.  We spoke with the elated speller following her win this afternoon.

Shandel Parham, First Place Winner, Belize District

“I feel excited and thankful to all my supporters and my parents, my teachers, everyone who are happy for me right now.

Isani Cayetano

“What was it like preparing and studying for these words?”

Shandel Parham

Shandel Parham

“It was fun, at the same time while you are learning.  I enjoyed it though, it was hard work but I enjoyed it.”

Isani Cayetano

“How difficult was this competition for you, in terms of being on the stage with all these other kids who are competing in this tournament?

Shandel Parham

“Well I thought they were good to make it this far and I thought that I had a really tough time.  I did, but it came out that I took first place.”

Elias Zetina, Second Place Winner, Belize District

“It was kind of difficult, I never expected to come in at second place.  I expected to do a very good job but it was tough, very tough.  Usually I always do a better job but today I just did a good job.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now what were the preparations like for you, in terms of either studying your words and familiarizing yourself with the list?”

Elias Zetina

Elias Zetina

“Usually I study the origins of either like French or Latin, either how the parts of them are spelled, like gazelle, it has an elle, so when there’s French it has elle.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now, how do you feel?  I know you mentioned if it were any other day you would have done better than second, but share with us the feeling at the moment.”

Elias Zetina

“I feel very happy because even though I came in second place I’ll be moving on to Corozal.”

Isani Cayetano

“And what can we expect from you on the national scale?”

Elias Zetina

“A first prize winner.”

The annual competition is organized and moderated under the auspices of Bowen and Bowen Limited and headed by Director of Ceremonies Silvaana Udz.