27 shine in Kool Kidz Spelling Bee

The Kool Kidz Sancom National Spelling Bee competition drew 27 finalists who showed off their vocabulary skills at Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies on June 5.

Mikkel Acquart from San Fernando TML Primary School won the spelling bee. In second-place was Stefan Rampersad of the Dayanand Memorial Vedic Primary School. Third place went to Faatimah Emamalie of the Learning Living Centre.

Sponsor SM Jaleel and its Kool Kidz brand partnered with the competition as it saw a critical need to invest in the holistic development of children, said a media release.

Feature speaker Simone Haynes Noel, school supervisor III from the Ministry of Education, told the students that reading improves not only vocabulary, but dictation. She also advised them to know the difference between the English language and the short-handed language used in text messages.

“Text language is interrupting the normal English language. It is affecting spelling, reading and how you write essays and it is important that you know the difference because it is affecting what students write,” Noel said. She noted that at this stage in a student’s life the brain is “still very open, and what you learn now, you remember for years to come.”

Chief judge Karen Waheed said this year’s competition was very intense. She said she was impressed to see two boys in the finals. “Make sure and keep a list of all the words and keep using them in your narrative and expository,” Waheed said.

Andre Noel, group category manager, said SM Jaleel and Kool Kidz were delighted to partner with the competition and noted the company took a keen interest in nurturing and investing in youths.

All of the finalists received certificates of participation and hampers from SM Jaleel and meal vouchers from Subway.

Other schools that participated in the Kool Kidz Sancom National Spelling Bee competition:

• Siparia Hindu SDMS

• San Francique Hindu

• Elswick Presbyterian School

• Marac Baptist

• Robert Village

• Libertville Primary

• Mafeking Government

• Ecclesville Presbyterian

• Lucia’s Private

• Curepe APS Vedic

• Tamana RC

• Dinsley Trincity Government

• Gandhi Memorial Vedic

• Reform Hindu

• San Fernando Boys RC

• Gloster Lodge Moravian

• Dunross Prep School

• Port of Spain SDA

• Curepe Presbyterian

• Exchange Presbyterian

• Chaguanas RC

• Santa Flora Government

• Buenos Ayres Government

• Vance River