Bees are ready to rumble

Eldon Bremner, general manager of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, guides finalists in the Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee competition on a tour of the hotel yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer

A new champion will be crowned when the finals of the 2009-2010 Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee competition get under way tomorrow morning at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Fourteen spellers who came through respective tests in their parishes will put their skills on the line in what is sure to be a day of excitement and tension.

This year's exercise will be the 51st anniversary of the 'spell-fest', and the winner will walk away with a variety of prizes in addition to the title of 2010 Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee champion.

The winner of this year's Spelling Bee will join a long line of illustrious winners such as Jody-Ann Maxwell, Daniel Thomas and Shari-Jo Miller.

The winner will also participate in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in Washington, DC, in May, a competition which Jody-Ann Maxwell won in 1998.

Before the big day, the spellers will today go through dictation, comprehension and written-word exercises at The Jamaica Pegasus. At the end of the day, they will be treated to dinner by sponsors KFC.

The public is invited to visit The Jamaica Pegasus on Wednesday to view the competition.

Top of the Class

I am one of many young men from Munro College who are shining stars in the classroom. Find out about bold and bright young men on a mission to achieve in The Gleaner's Top of the Class on February 23.