Members of The Gleaner's team to the Scripps Spelling Bee paid a courtesy call on the Jamaican Ambassador in Washington on Tuesday. From left are Primrose Swaby (chaperone), Glen Archer (coach), Sade Dunbar (The Gleaner's spelling bee champion), Ambassador Anthony Johnson, and Karin Cooper of The Gleaner Company. - Contributed

Tomorrow, the Gleaner Children's Own Spelling Bee champion Sade Dunbar will start her quest to become the second Jamaican to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Sade, along with coach the Rev Glen Archer, corporate affairs and marketing manager of The Gleaner Company, Karin Cooper, and chaperone Primrose Swaby, left the island on May 24 for Washington, DC where the final is held.

Plenty of encouragement

Sade is getting plenty of encouragement, including from Regina Bish, last year's all-island champion who finished in 16th place at Scripps. Bish says for her it was very scary to see so many people, but is advising Dunbar not to be intimidated by the large gathering. The Campion College student also cautioned her against focussing on the other competitors, as it can be a major distraction.

"Many of the other competitors are very good spellers, but some of them have been there more than once, so she (Sade) should try not to be intimidated," Bish tells The Gleaner.

Being part of the spelling bee is not only about words, but it also aids competitors in other aspects of their lives, Bish notes. "Knowing so many words has helped me a lot at school," the 15-year-old said. She added that, it had helped her to become more confident and comfortable in social settings.

For Dr Clive Lai, spell master and spelling bee champion in 1968, his best advice is to be confident.

"I think if she remains calm and is confident and believes in herself, she will do well," he says.

Lai tells The Gleaner it is much more than words that competitors take away from being in a spelling bee. Though it has been many years since he took part, Lai says there are many things he has gained from being in the competition that continue to benefit him in his everyday life.

More disciplined

"Because of it (spelling bee), I have been a more disciplined and organised person," he said.

Karin Cooper shares similar sentiments to Lai, noting that The Gleaner's objective is to produce lasting benefits for students who compete in the spelling bee.

"We involve past champions such as Clive Lai to ensure that even in our administration of the programme, the unique position of the speller is always represented and our activities stimulate the achievement of their potential," she said.