( L - R ) Miller, Hutchinson

Two more spellers booked their trip to The Gleaner's Spelling Bee National Finals yesterday.

In the rainy afternoon session in Montego Bay, the St. James final turned out to be an exciting one as Andrene Hutchinson of Herbert Morrison Technical High School outlasted Andrew Stone of Hosanna Preparatory.

This is Hutchinson's third parish title, having won twice in Hanover. She, along with last year's champion, Karee Par-kinson, from Montego Bay High, who placed third, showed what real spelling was like, giving the au-dience a spirited competition. They were all allowed to sit between turns as their legs were getting tired after standing for nearly four hours.

"Since I am in high school now, I thought I would give it (spelling) a break, but I realised I could do it and the school wanted it, so they asked me," said a relieved Andrene.

The other two in the top five were also deserving of applause. Fifth went to Patrick Pinnock of Catherine Hall Primary and fourth to Antoinette Allen of Cornwall Preparatory.

Meanwhile, Lukel Miller, of Albert Town Primary and Infant School, became the third boy to win a parish final in the Trelawny parish final. Ironically, Lukel was the first speller in the line and, as it turns out, was the last one standing.

"I believed I would win because I prayed to God and I just believed it because the words were easy," he said afterwards.

Second went to Khadejah Stewart of Wakefield Primary, who was also champion girl; third to Georgian Johnson of Holland High; fourth to Kodeedra James of Hastings Primary; and fifth to Michael Palmer of Granville Primary.

The parish finals end today with the Hanover and Westmoreland contests.