Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

A hilarious game of over-under-side-side at the Spelling Bee Champion dinner. After getting the balloon from Delta Peddie (right), spellmaster Dr Clive Lai (second right) attempts to hand it to Jordi Dunbar (third right). Waiting for it are (from left) Lawre Johnson, Sade Dunbar, Shari Jo Miller and Jordi Dunbar. Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/ Staff Photographer

They say after the battle comes the reward. And for the 14 parish finalists in The Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee on Tuesday, that's what they received.

Competition over, the tension now behind them, the spellers were able to relax and just have fun at the champions' dinner held at the Jamaica Pegasus, the same hotel where they had competed valiantly merely hours before.

The spellers found themselves in such esteemed company as their excellencies Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall, who joined them for dinner.

All-Island champion Sade Dunbar (third left) and runner-up Janielle Walters engage in girl-talk, to the delight of the grown-ups (from left) Rev Glen Archer, Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, Janielle's coach Primrose Swaby, and Lady Hall.

The coaches, chaperones, parents and former champion spellers also joined the gathering for a fun-filled evening. The top three spellers from last year, Regina Bish, Lawre Johnson and Khandae Wright, all received their replica trophies for their efforts last year.

The pressure now over, Sade Dunbar (left) and Janielle Walters (right) joke around at the champions' dinner. Looking on is Janielle's coach, Primrose Swaby.

But it was after dinner that the real fun began. With the self-proclaimed energiser Bunny, Jenny Jenny, doing the MC duties, guests were truly entertained. The games and trivia contests were interactive and even the parents got involved.

There was also karaoke for the not too shy and those who thought themselves singers.

Guests out included Millard Dunbar, father of all-island champion. Sade Dunbar; Belinda Williams and Bridgette Rhoden of National Commercial Bank; Llewelyn Bailey of Jamaica National Building Society; Gleaner director Christopher Roberts; former all-island champions, Daniel Thomas, Stacy-Ann Pearson, Regina Bish, Romell Newby, Cornel Grey, Karen Rosen, Lawrence Johnson, Janise Manning, Kevaughn Newland; and Norma Brown-Bell and Caroline Mahfood.

Lawre Johnson (centre), second-place winner in 2007, laughs with third-place winner in 2007, Khandae Wright (left), and all-island champion for 2007, Regina Bish, after they received their replica trophies at this year's champions' dinner.

Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall (second left) and Lady Hall (right) listen keenly to all-island champion Sade Dunbar (centre). Looking on are second-place winner Janielle Walters and Christopher Barnes, assistant to the managing director of The Gleaner.

Champion Boy Jordi Dunbar concentrates intently on his game while Shari Jo Miller follows his every move.