Sebastian Matthews is the newest ICBL Starcom Network Junior National Spelling Bee Champion.
The Gabriel’s School student was crowned at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre where he competed against several other primary school students.
Matthews was surprised and ecstatic about his win. He, however, was just as excited for his schoolmates Renelle Best and Ezra Sikkens, who placed second and third respectively.
“I never really thought I would make it but I’m really happy and excited. I feel like our school, in general, is one of the best.
“We do 40 words a day in the online classroom and we do this for two weeks. It was a fun experience, especially for the students and the teacher. She should be really happy right now,” he said.
He won the Challenge Trophy from ICBL, a $100 voucher from Deanna Dash’s Toyshop, a laptop from Tropical Computers Ltd, a trip for two to a Caribbean island from Mile High Travels Inc and $2 500 cash prize compliments ICBL.
The winning school won $2 500.
The spelling bee began in 2019 and, this year, 76 students from ten schools participated, 56 of whom competed in the final rounds. They all received medals for their participation. Some students received books, vouchers and other special prizes.
Chief executive officer at ICBL Geoffrey Scott, who attended the final, expressed gratitude to the teachers for their work, especially since they’ve had to deal with teaching online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He also congratulated the students on their efforts.
“To the students, you’ve been resilient, patient, focused and even before one word is spelt, you are already winners. To the teachers, we know it hasn’t been easy, we know you won’t give up on the children and ICBL is here to support you every step of the way,” Scott said.
Station manager at Starcom Network Anthony Greene made similar comments and emphasised the importance of providing children with platforms to enhance their development.
“It is important for us as media, as practitioners to ensure that despite the barriers we face, we continue to engage these children and make sure they have activities that would encourage learning and development.
“There is no barrier too big to stop us from doing that,” Greene said. (TG)
