Gleaner's Spelling Bee | Hard work paid off for Thrisianna

Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland: Sean Lavery Faith Hill

1. Thrisianna Coke, New Horizon Preparatory

2. Dante Ruddock, New Horizon Preparatory

3. Jadon Forbes, Petersfield Primary

4. Anastasha Clarke, Manning's School

5. Foster Williams, Savanna-la-Mar Primary

Top Boy: Justyn Clarke, New Horizon Preparatory

Top Girl: Thrisianna Coke, New Horizon Preparatory

Winning word: M-N-E-M-O-N-I-C

Coach: Venet Dixon

Number of spellers: 60

How it all started:

Coach Dixon said that Thursday's success was a year in the making. Preparing the now top girl and parish champion took a lot of hard work, dedication, sleepless nights, and prayer.

Coach on winning:

"I am elated, but I'm just giving all the praise and adoration to the Lord."

The team has a solid plan in preparing for the national finals in February 2019 but is keeping the details under wraps.

"All I can say is that it's going to be more intense," said Dixon.

Thrisianna on winning:

"I feel really good!"

The 10-year-old is in grade six. She admits that she loves to surf the Internet and read. Thrisianna doesn't have a favourite book because she loves all books, but her most recent adventure is The Forbidden City in the Nancy Drew series.

At school, Thrisianna is a part of the swim and track and field teams as well as Brownies. She says that she is interested in the TVJ's Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz but has not decided if she wants to join her school's team.

Heidian Allen Shagouari (Mom) on the win:

"I'm feeling very excited, very happy. I was a little nervous at first, but at the end of it, we claimed victory."