Jevede takes Portland crown on third attempt

Port Antonio, Portland:

Name: Jevede Rodney

Age: 9

School: Port Antonio Primary

Coach: Novelette Graham

Winning word:

L-E-A-T-H-E-R-E-T-T-E

Top 5

1. Jevede Rodney, Port Antonio Primary

2. Kadejah Pryce, Manchioneal All-Age

3. Kimone Palmer, Ken Wright Primary

4. Dajondle Murray, Boston Primary

5. Jaunbonae Moore, Norwich Primary

“I feel great!” nine-year-old Jevede told The Gleaner after dominating the competition to emerge The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee champion for Portland.

This is his third time entering the competition and his first win. Last year, he was champion boy, but runner-up to Rhonoya Anderson, who represented the parish at the national finals.

Outside of studying for the parish championship, Jevede is involved in Cub Scouts, Spelling Club, and loves to play cricket. When asked about his favourite position in cricket, he says, “I like being the wicketkeeper.”

Novelette Graham (coach): “I’m elated! It’s been a long time coming. He’s been in second place all the other times, but this time around, we worked on the words we thought he might have trouble with.”

Graham admits training Jevede has been an ongoing process as she taught him in grade one and saw his potential.

“When I was able to give the other children in the class words like ‘bat’ and ‘rat’, I had to give Jevede words like ‘parachute’ and ‘barbecue’, so from then, I knew he had something more,” she said.

Antoinette Burke (mother): “I’m feeling so happy! God was in this. God is the One who brought him through. He’s been champion boy all the other times, and now he is the champion.”