Jamaica Gleaner

Jaavon has no time for second place

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“I’VE ONLY ever come in second once,” said Jaavon Roberts, of Enfield Primary, and The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee champion for St Mary.

Jaavon recounts a time he was in grade one and was runner-up for the top spot for his class. “After that, I decided I was always going to be first.”

That was the mindset of the 11-year-old when he turned up at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Port Maria yesterday. Forty-three spellers cued before spell mistress Marline Stephenson Dalley, and after rounds of spelling, it was Jaavon who took the title with the word G-U-A-R-A-N-T-E-E-D.

“I feel awesome about winning, and I thank my coach, my teachers, my mother, my family, and all the people who make Spelling Bee possible.”

The grade-six student shared how he prepared for the spelldown. “I stated training at the beginning of summer. I would go to my coach’s house twice a week and we get between 20 and 30 words to spell.”

“I am elated,” his coach, Kerrian Green, said when asked about the win. “There were a lot of challenges, but I’m glad we got through all right. His mother played an integral part in the preparatio­n as well.”

Green only has praises for Jaavon. “He is dedicated and focused.”

It is Jaavon’s wish to be successful in his upcoming PEP exam so he could attend his school of choice, St Mary High. His ambition is to be a geologist or a biologist.

In his free time, he enjoys playing football, spelling, and learning games. He is an active member of the Arts and Crafts Club, the Spelling Club, and the Agricultur­e Club, which, he says, he enjoys because he gets to plant things and take care of their two rabbits.

He also enjoys reading and watching television.

 ?? IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? Jaavon Roberts celebrates winning The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee parish finals for St Mary.
IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER Jaavon Roberts celebrates winning The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee parish finals for St Mary.
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