Ardenne High School made history by winning the All-Island Spelling Bee for the fifth consecutive year, showcasing the school’s consistency in academic excellence. Janice Maxwell claimed the top spot after a tense final round, with Laura-Mae Patterson and Tesha Whyte completing the all-girls podium. Observers praised the students’ focus, speed, and poise, noting that the competition tested not just memory but confidence under pressure.

Published Thursday, August 16, 1990 

Ardenne’s Janice Maxwell champion speller for ‘90

ARDENNE High School has created a Spelling Bee record by winning the championship for the fifth year in a row.
Janice Maxwell was the student who topped the Spelling Bee Championship to give the school and her teacher, the Rev. Glen Archer, the record.
The three top places went to girls. Laura-Mae Patterson of Vaz Prep took second place, and Tesha Whyte of Lyssons All-Age was third.
The finals of the competition started Tuesday night with two dictation tests and continued yesterday morning with the first spell-down among the fourteen parish champions. The eight best spellers who advanced to the final spell-down yesterday afternoon were: Laura-Mae Patterson of Vaz Prep; Tesha Whyte of Lyssons All-Age, St. Thomas; Alicia Henry of Sturge Town Primary, St. Ann; Kamla Brown of Corinaldi Avenue Primary, St. James; Ricardo Blair from Petersfield Primary, Westmoreland; Serita Thomas of Mt. Nevis Primary, St. Catherine; Janice Maxwell of Ardenne High, St. Andrew; and Patricia Cameron of Bethel All-Age, Trelawny.
By 3:20 p.m., Ricardo, the only boy to reach this far, was awarded eighth place when he spelt "anathematize" incorrectly. Patricia followed shortly and was awarded seventh place after an incorrect attempt at "chrysanthemum."
Brief break
After a brief break taken to ease the tension, six contestants took the stand. The six spelt accurately and amazed the audience with their confidence.
Serita Thomas was the next contestant to fall after an incorrect spelling of "xylophone." She was awarded sixth place.
With all the prescribed words completed, the contest went into the "unseen" words section (words not in the Spelling Bee book). This section became the climax of the competition and indeed a case of the fittest surviving, as the students went out one after the other.
Alicia was the first to go. At 4:38 p.m., she returned to her seat in tears after spelling "accolade" incorrectly and was awarded fifth place. Kamla followed shortly after, spelling "affined" incorrectly.
Tesha won third place after spelling "algae" with an "I" instead of an "e." She had fought bravely, spelling very rapidly but accurately. Her teacher, Verona Gilzine, ran to meet her with a congratulatory hug.
Laura-Mae and Janice, each with no errors in the dictation and morning spell-downs, were the only two left to compete in the "battle." Laura-Mae, with her calm but confident attitude, and Janice, spelling boldly, loudly, and confidently, received the approval of the audience and judges as they spelt each word correctly.
At exactly 5:50 p.m., Laura-Mae spelt "applause" incorrectly. Janice capitalized on this opening and corrected Laura's spelling. After spelling an additional word, "applique," she was declared the winner. Disappointed, Laura-Mae held her face and cried.
Today, the fourteen Spelling Bee finalists and their teachers will be making several courtesy calls on dignitaries. At 1 p.m., the contestants will attend a luncheon in honor of the Island Champion at the Oceana Hotel. Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole will give the main address.

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