Grey
Claude Mills, Staff Reporter
FOR THE last 10 years, the Children's Own Spelling Bee competition has been dominated by Corporate Area schools with Ardenne High School in St. Andrew enjoying a virtual hammerlock on the top spot in the annual spelldown.
So last week's victory by Cornel Grey, a student of Portmore Missionary Prep, represents more than just a notch in the belt of the 'Sunshine City' in St. Catherine, it represents a glimmer of hope for all schools outside the Corporate Area.
This year, four of the top seven placed finishers hailed from western Jamaica. Evan Brown of Glen Stuart Primary school, and champion boy for the 'bread basket' of St. Elizabeth did western Jamaica proud by placing a creditable fourth.
During the riveting contest, a battery of teachers from western Jamaica tried to inspire young Evan Brown with a 'coaching by committee move' during the 2:45 p.m interval in the competition.
"Look on mi face good...hold up the west....the west must come in this year," one teacher implored him good-naturedly.
After Evan was eliminated, Nadine McIntosh, a spunky teacher from Hanover, told a reporter: "Just watch me...you just watch. I will be coming to win next year, the West means business."
The fierce twinkle gleaming in her eye added an exclamation point to her promise.
According to Spelling Bee organisers, this was the first time in a long time that there was an air of uncertainty at the competition, a feeling that other schools outside of the Corporate Area had a sliver of a chance because the intimidating dynasty forged by the Ardenne High school had now ended.
Still, there was one factor that mirrored former years: super-coach Reverend Glen Archer.
He coached the top three finishers in this year's Bee. Cornel Grey, the more experienced of the Archer-coached trio, won it all.
SERIOUS CHILD
When asked by a reporter why he didn't smile more while onstage, Cornel cocked his eyebrows, and for the first time since the competition had begun, looked genuinely stumped.
Finally, a huge smile broke on his lips, and he shrugged his shoulders, and mouthed: "I don't know".
Cornel's mother Eulette Ferguson, a 47-year-old registration clerk, admits that her son has always been a "bit on the serious side".
"He is a very serious child, especially about his studies. He does everything normal like other children, plays video games, but he manages his time well, and set aside a lot of time to study without my intervention. I don't have to set any boundaries for him," Ms. Ferguson said.
