Joseph Greaux, left, and Nyeema Henderson, center, won the 2022-2023 Spelling Bees in their respective districts. Photo Credit: THE V.I. DEPT. OF EDUCATION
The Virgin Islands Department of Education announced Thursday that Joseph Greaux of Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 School won the 50th Anniversary 2022-2023 St. Croix District Spelling Bee. The St. Thomas-St. John District competition was won by Nyeema Henderson of Calvary Christian Academy.
The department said thirteen students competed in the seven-round competition on St. Croix, with Greaux emerging as the district winner after correctly spelling the word "phonics." He and the five other top spellers in the district will compete against St. Thomas-St. John District's top spellers in the Territorial Spelling Bee, slated for March 16.
The top six students are: Joseph Greaux, Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 School; Alex Fleming, Good Hope Country Day; Rayan Felix, Free Will Baptist Christian School; Abdel Bazzar, Ricardo Richards Elementary School; Meilene Henrys, St. Mary's Catholic School; and Sinaia Steven, Claude O. Markoe Elementary School.
The STX District Spelling Bee coordinator and co-coordinators were Paulina Croskey, ELA coordinator, and Jeselle Cruse-Peter, elementary programs coordinator, respectively, according to D.O.E.
On St. Thomas, following 25 rounds of fierce competition, Nyeema was named the district champion after correctly spelling the word "vermicide." She and the five other top spellers in the District will compete against St. Croix's top spellers in the Territorial Spelling Bee, slated for March 16.
Top Six: Nyeema Henderson, Calvary Christian Academy; Naitik Jhanwar, All Saints Cathedral School; Te'Mani Joseph, New Testament Academy; Vashanti Francis, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Anthony Joseph, Yvonne Milliner Bowsky Elementary School; and Jayce Hodge, Uller F. Muller Elementary School. A total of nine students participated in this year's spelling competition. Kendra Vicars, Acting District Director of Curriculum & Instruction, coordinated the annual Bee.
