Ocho Rios, St Ann:

Sixty-three students registered at the St John's Anglican Church hall on Wednesday to compete for the title of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee parish champion. A parish once dominated by the Harrison brothers saw the spellers gearing up for what was anybody's game. But Amoya Minto, who placed third last year, would not allow it. It was a fight for the trophy as she battled André Morris of York Castle High. André was a good contender, but it was Amoya who emerged the parish champion for St Ann.

Amoya, described by her coach as a quiet child, has been entering the Spelling Bee for three years, and this is her first win.

"I felt she would do it," said her coach Karen Lothian. "She was focused."

Said the winner as she held her trophy: "I said I was going to win!"

When asked about the national championships in February, both Amoya and her coach agreed that there would be more work and preparation.

"I will do my best and try to win," Amoya said.

Top five

Amoya Minto - St Hilda's High

André Morris - York Castle High

Mikayla Nanco - Ocho Rios Primary

Yashema Fulton - Brittonville Primary

Makieka Anderson - Aabuthnott Gallimore High

Top Boy

André Morris - York Castle High

Winning Word

I-L-L-E-G-I-T-I-M-A-T-E