Rural Stann Creek student wins spelling bee
It’s an annual event that has students and teachers nation wide working overtime for months. Get out your dictionary because it’s time to test your ability to spell words that you will likely never utter in normal conversation.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Twelve students representing primary schools countrywide fought in a war of words to see who could out-spell whom; when the smoke cleared twelve-year old Antonio Sho of Maya Mopan School in Stann Creek was the winner of the Coca-Cola National Spelling Bee.
Antonio Sho, Winner, Maya Mopan School
“I study hard because I want to win…and my teacher gave me more words to study.”
Hundreds of children had words to study, not only today, but as far back as February when zone eliminations started. In March it was district eliminations, which gave way to today’s finals.
Cotyledon was Luenda’s word that earned her second place. And how did the twelve-year-old girl from La Inmaculada feel after the spelling test?
Luenda Escalante, Second Place, La Inmaculada School
“I was feeling very happy because I came in second. I didn’t expect to have made it.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“You didn’t?”
Luenda Escalante
“No.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Why not?”
Luenda Escalante
“I thought Belize was going to win.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Because?”
Luenda Escalante
“They said they were very smart and…”
Ann-Marie Williams
“You don’t think you’re smart enough?”
Luenda Escalante
“Yes.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Antonio Sho won two computers with all accessories, one for himself and the other for his school, while Luenda Escalante took home a personal P.C. as the second best speller.
