I kind of expected this win - Ojea

Mandeville, Manchester
Name: Ojea Sheckleford
Age: 13
School: Manchester High
Coach: Primrose Swaby
Winning word: Phlegm

Top 5
1. Ojea Sheckleford, Manchester High
2. Trevaughn Robinson, Bethabara Primary and Junior High
3. Ian White, El Instituto de Mandevilla
4. Darrell Douglas, Knox Junior School
5. Thornton Dennis, Sacred Heart Academy Prep

Quotes: “I kind of expected this win because the only competition I think I had was Britnay Allen from DeCarteret College, so it was a good win.”

Ojea's coach, Primrose Swaby: “I am so elated. I have been doing this for many years and I had many winners so I feel good.” 

Preparing for parish finals: “Ojea isn’t at my school anymore, so he has to come to my house. He leaves Manchester High at three and gets to me by 3:30 and we go until about 5:30 most evenings. On Saturdays we call marathon Saturdays, we do a whole lot, last Saturday we did the whole book.”

Ojea: “It wasn’t hard preparing for parish because I kind of know the book. All I had to do was look over, do a few refreshers.” 

Coach, on nationals: “This is my year. I was third last year so this time is mine.”

Ojea: “I will study the dictionary back and front and I will make my coach and Jamaica proud at nationals.” 

* Ojea placed second in the parish last year. The spell-down’s top five consisted of all boys. Nine-year-old Drizel

Wilson of Mandeville Primary and Junior High was announced champion girl. She placed sixth.