( L - R ) McPherson and Reittie

Daniel McPherson of Fellowship Primary and Junior High School in Portland retained her parish title yesterday in the Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee competition.

Daniel triumphed over 15 other spellers in what was the quickest contest so far, lasting about 40 minutes. She withstood the challenge of Travis Bryan of Boundbrook Primary who finished as champion boy. Daniel spelled k-i-l-o-w-a-t-t-s correctly after Travis missed i-n-v-e-n-t-o-r-y. The top five was completed by Elieza White of Ken Wright Primary and Junior High in third, Kimone Lowe of Norwich Primary in fourth, and Colleen Davis of Buff Bay Primary in fifth, making it a fine performance from the girls in the top five.

"It feels good to win again," said Daniel.

St. Thomas contest

Earlier yesterday, there was a one-two finish for Middleton Primary in the St. Thomas Parish Final. After about one-and-a-half hours of spelling, Rasheed Reittie triumphed over his schoolmate Monique Thompson. Rasheed correctly spelled z-o-m-b-i-e after Monique misspelled w-a-l-t-z-i-n-g.

"This was my first year in the competition. I was a little nervous but I just focused on my spelling," Rasheed said afterwards. Third place went to Anne-Cheries Taylor of Duckensfield Primary, a second straight top five finish for her; fourth to Sharmanee Hibbert, of Wilmington Primary, and fifth to Damain Decambre of Airy Castle Primary.

Today, the spellers of St. Mary and St. Ann will line up for the spell master.