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ST. THOMAS — Antilles School 6^th grader Priya Giyanani won the 2018 St. Thomas – St. John (STTJ) District Intermediate Spelling Bee on Tuesday, the Department of Education has announced. After battling neck-and-neck for a grueling eight rounds, Giyanani edged Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School 8^th grader V’Andre Rochester by correctly spelling “kuruma” after Rochester misspelled “tarragon.”

Addelita Cancryn 8^th grader Maat Osuji opened the annual literacy event in song, performing the Star-Spangled Banner, Lift Every Voice and Sing and the Virgin Island March.

D.O.E.e Insular Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington welcomed the audience and gave comforting remarks on behalf of the district. “In light of what the territory has experienced, these 18 in-school Spelling Bee champions have truly proven that they’re committed, hard workers and know what it feels like to achieve a goal,” said Hedrington.

STTJ District Elementary Programs Coordinator and Spelling Bee Coordinator Kalamis Maduro followed with introductions of spelling officials. The Virgin Islands Daily News Executive Editor Gerry Yandel and Retired Educator Mary Harley served as pronouncers. Shaking off their nerves, the in-school winners, dubbed champion spellers, then took to the centered microphone and introduced themselves to the audience, pronouncers, judges and their peers.

Kalamis Maduro with Sonya Swan, coach of Priya Giyanani and the champion herself. (DOE)

After the formal reading of the rules and a warm-up round, the competition got underway. The fierce competitors, from public, private and parochial schools battled for over an hour and truly exhibited literacy skills learned through their rigorous training. All Saints’ competitor DaJanelle Joseph notably traced letters in her hands as to visualize words. Brother to V’Andre Rochester, V’Manie Rochester evidently showcased his knowledge of word history by frequently asking judges for the etymology of words and subsequently spelled those words correctly. Participants correctly spelled words such as “peroxide,” “spitz,” “azalea,” “layette,” “spaghetti,” “isobar” and “linoleum.” The Champion Spellers did not hesitate to ask pronouncers to use words in sentences, request the alternate pronouncer, or even repeat words several times.

Third runner-up Arielis Jimenez of Gladys Abraham Elementary School incorrectly spelled “tatami”—a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms—which led to the eight round battle for the championship between Rochester and Giyanani.

A soft-spoken Giyanani expressed her happiness in securing the championship and also spoke about her challenges preparing for the Bee. “I’m feeling really good. I was really nervous up there,” she said. “I practiced for about three hours each day but I always struggled with pronunciation. I’m getting better and I’m definitely looking forward to the territorial competition.”

All Spelling Bee participants received student dictionaries and tote bags from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; and trophies, certificates, Bee pencils and erasers, compliments of the STTJ District. The top six spellers also received board games from the district and backpacks filled with school supplies from United Way VI. United Way VI will also gift the top six spellers Kindle Fire tablets with an eGift card credit of varying amounts.

Senators Janette Millin-Young, Tregenza Roach, Dwayne DeGraff, Janelle Sarauw and a representative from Senator Jean Forde’s office also attended the event.

The territorial Spelling Bee, which will feature the top six spellers from both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts, will take place on March 27 in the Charlotte Amalie High School, Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium at 10 a.m.

The top six finalists that will compete in the Territorial Bee from the St. Thomas – St. John District are Priya Giyanani of Antilles School; V’Andre Rochester of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Arielis Jimenez of Gladys Abraham Elementary School; DaJanelle Joseph of All Saints Cathedral School; Kwanye’ Jarvis of Julius E. Sprauve School; and V’Manie Rochester of Joseph Sibilly Elementary School.