Quick end to St Andrew spelldown

"When I came here today (last Friday), I did not really expect to go so far because I was very nervous when I saw all those students in front of me doing very well."

Those were the words of the eventual winner of the St Andrew parish final of The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee 2011-12 competition. Thirteen-year-old Tianne was among the 52 spellers who had come out in search of the same honour.

Short competition

But even with that impressive turnout, the St Andrew finals failed to provide the entertainment value it had in previous years. The competition, which would normally have run way into the afternoon, barely made it past the lunch break and came to a close minutes shy of the 2 o'clock mark.

Still nothing can be taken away from the victory of the hazel-eyed beauty who explained that her spelling journey did not start in glory.

"I entered St Catherine already but I came out very early because I wasn't prepared," Tianne shared. She was out in the first round.

But this time around, under the tutelage of the Reverend Glen Archer - who had the distinction of coaching all top-five spellers - the Ardenne High student managed to make it to the top.

"I feel great. I have never won anything this big in my life and I am so happy. Words cannot express how I feel," she beamed as her mother, Nadine Barclay, cried tears of joy in the background.

The youngster, who was not afraid to speak candidly, told The Gleaner that she didn't really think she would win the national finals, which will take place next February.

"I will try and do my best and come way up because I've never come this far in any competition like this before."