Ladyville student wins Belize District Spelling Bee
Just as Belize City has elected a mayor, so the Belize District has chosen a spelling champion. Patrick Jones was on hand at Parish Hall to record her victory.
The Competition was tough today as seventeen Belize district Primary School boys and girls went head to head at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall to decide who will be the 1998 representatives in the National Coca Cola Spelling Bee.
Silvana Woods, Public Relations, Bowen & Bowen Limited
“I must say I was very impressed with Pancutto Methodist School – with all the students of course – but Pancutto Methodist School and as well the student Aaron Humes. I don?t recall at the moment which school he was from, because in the reserve list you saw them, you know, if they said “C-H” then they went to the other alternative. Or “P-H” then they went to “F”. They used all the good rules that should be used when you?re trying to spell.”
The contestants had obviously primed themselves for today’s contest as it took six rounds before Christina Lozano from Ladyville R.C. School emerged as champion speller for the Belize District.
Christina Lozano, Ladyville R.C. School
“I don’t know, I tried my best and I got here, and I have to thank everybody my teachers, friends, everybody who helped me. The students of our school, everybody who helped me to go through this and thank God.”
Q: “Do you do a lot of reading at home?”
Christina Lozano
“A lot. I studied hard. Sometimes they wondered why I woke up so late in the morning but I tried hard, I studied the words”
The rest of the competition then focused in choosing a runner-up. But before long, Rensi Franklin from Holy Redeemer Upper stepped forward to claim that spot.
Rensi Franklin, Holy Redeemer Upper School
“My mom helped in all of it. I had to study like three hours every night and she took me up every minute. As I came home she told me take out your spelling paper.”
Q: “And it was worth it all?”
Rensi Franklin
“Yes.”
But Rensi’s place may not be secure as the final results of today’s contest are currently under review. A possible mistake by judges may necessitate an addendum playoff for second place between Rensi and Jacqueline Rosales of Pancotto Methodist School. An update will be forthcoming early next week. Patrick Jones for News Five.
The Finals of the National Coca Cola Spelling Bee will be held on April twenty fourth at the Belize City Centre. For a word’s eye view of today’s competition tune in to Channel Five tonight at seven thirty.
