The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee champion, Sade Dunbar, ponders a word as she participates in yesterday's 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee. - Photo by Bill Clark

The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee champion, Sade Dunbar, just missed the finals at yesterday's Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, United States, tying for 13th of 288 spellers.

The opening round of the morning's semi-final stage was difficult to navigate as 21 of the 45 spellers were eliminated. But Sade prevailed by spelling f-l-a-g-e-o-l-e-t, which is a woodwind musical instrument. In the second round of the semi-final stage, Sade spelled g-a-l-b-u-l-u-s, which is the seed-producing cone of a cypress tree. She, however, faltered on her third word, misspelling h-i-d-r-a-d-e-n-i-t-i-s, which means inflammation of a sweat gland.

Not disappointed

A cheerful Sade was pleased with her effort. "I feel good. I'm not disappointed because I did my best," she told The Gleaner.

She admitted she did not know the word and said she realised later that she was pronouncing it incorrectly.

Today, the spellers will participate in sightseeing tours and will be fêted at a banquet. Sade, her coach the Rev Glen Archer, The Gleaner's Corporate Affairs and Marketing Manager Karin Cooper and Sade's chaperone, Primrose Swaby, are scheduled to return to the island tomorrow.