FINAL SHOWDOWN TOMORROW
Perlis, Kedah representatives have high hopes to finish in top five
ILI SHAZWANI
AND EMBUN MAJID ARAU news@nst.com.my
AFTER three years of failed attempts, Muhammad Syahid Haikal Shahruddin’s perseverance has finally paid off. He has made it into the finals of the RHB New Straits Times SpellIt-Right (SIR) challenge.
The Form Five student from SMK(A) Arau was named Perlis champion in the secondary school category this year.
“I was thrilled to be shortlisted for the state-level SIR challenge. I never thought that I would be champion. I now understand that anything is possible with hard work, determination and passion. The new digital version of the challenge is better for me as it didn’t make me as anxious or nervous,” he said.
Syahid, 17, will compete in the national finals tomorrow at Nexus, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
In Kangar, SK Sena pupil Najihah Humairah Mohd Najmuddin is elated to represent Perlis for the second time in the primary school category.
The 12-year-old, who won the state-level SIR challenge in 2015, spends at least one hour a day reading the New Straits Times and improving her English.
Apart from spending time at the library, she spars with her younger sister and brother, who are also taking part in SIR this year.
“I am aiming for a top-five finish in the finals in Kuala Lumpur. English has been my passion since I was little and I am grateful to be selected for the RHB Spelling Masters (a competition between Malaysian and Singaporean spellers), thanks to my family and teachers’ support.
In Alor Star, Muhammad Ammar Mohd Slhim, 11, is excited to represent Kedah in the primary school category.
The Year Five pupil from SK Ibrahim in Sungai Petani is hoping for a top-three finish at the finals.
“This is my first time participating in SIR, so I will try my best. I was surprised when I was named the state winner.”
Ammar said he would study the dictionary to prepare for the finals.
“SIR has helped me improve my English vocabulary. It will help me in my Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah next year.”
Abdullah Azzam Abdul Samad, 15, was surprised when he was named Kedah champion in the secondary school category.
The MRSM Kubang Pasu student said he was in the midst of his PT3 examination when he received the good news.
Azzam said he took up the challenge for fun.
He said he had started studying challenging words.
“This is my first finals showdown and I will do my best to grab a spot in the top five.”