Turks & Caicos Islands Annual Primary School Spelling Bee

#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – Tianna Kerr of Alpha Christian Academy captured the title of Champion Speller at the Turks and Caicos Islands Annual National Primary School Spelling Bee (NPSSB) held on Thursday, 25th May 2023, at Beaches Turks and Caicos.  The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services congratulates Miss Kerr, her parents, and her coach, Heather Robertson, a veteran who coached the champion speller in 2005.

Twelve (12) talented spellers from across the country competed for the coveted title of Champion Speller:

Adelaide Oemler Primary – Darius Bassett and Coach Stafford Salmon

Alpha Christian Academy – Tianna Kerr and Coach Heather Robertson

BEST Institute – Sydney Kay Brisbane and Coach Mrs. Tanisha Rigby

Enid Capron Primary – George Williams and coach Ms. Sacha Deans

Ianthe Pratt Primary – Mark Morrison and Coach Ms. Natalia Butterfield

International School of the TCI – Lola Jimenez and coach Ms. Iman Rudi-Bonotti

MILLS Institute – Nathan Forbes and Coach Mrs. Denesha Robinson

Ona Glinton Primary – Joneil Belzi and Coach Ms. Jacqueline Henry

Oseta Jolly Primary – Ruth Lormine and Coach Ms. Tevynn Lewis

Providence International Academy – Kian Jules and Coach Ms. Karla Williams

Provo Christian Academy – Marbelli Castillo and Coach Ms. Crystal Glinton

Thelma Lightbourne Primary – David Lawrence and Coach Ms. Alexa Greene

At the end of ten intense rounds of spelling, there was a tie.  After round 11, Tianna Kerr scored 42 points, and Ruth Lormine scored 41 points.  Ruth was determined to hold on to the title held by the Oseta Jolly Primary School in 2019 and 2022.

The top Three winners were:

1st place Alpha Christian Academy – Tianna Kerr;

1st Runner Up Oseta Jolly Primary – Ruth Lormine

2nd Runner Up Ona Glinton Primary – Joneil Benzi

The 2023 Spelling Bee’s primary sponsors were F Chambers and Island Printing, with usual support from Flow TCI and The Sandals Foundation.

The following prizes were sponsored by F Chambers and Island Printing

Grand Prize/Winner: MacBook Air,

1st Runner-Up Prize: Apple iPad Mini

2nd Runner-Up Prize: Apple iPad Mini

Prizes for the top 7 spellers: Galaxy Tablet A7 Lite

Prizes for remaining participants: $50 gift certificates

Champion Trophies for the Champion Speller, Runners Up, and Champion Coach, and complimentary Trophies for the remaining spellers.

FLOW TCI also sponsored an Asus Laptop for the coach of the champion speller.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Rachael Taylor, said, ‘I congratulate all the champion spellers of  2023 who are indeed winners and who represented their schools well at the Bee.  We are proud of you!  I especially want to congratulate our winner, Tianna Kerr, and the Alpha Christian Academy Family!  These events confirm that our children are indeed dedicated and committed students.

An event such as the annual Spelling Bee could only happen with the support of principals, coaches, teachers, and parents.  Special mention must be made of the efforts of coaches and teachers who remained dedicated to the training of the participants despite their hectic schedules.  Their contribution has once again made this year’s spelling bee a success.

A special thank you is extended to all volunteers who helped to make the competition a success:

Chairperson: Mrs. Sophia Garland

Scorers: Ms. Evadne Williams and Mr. Hugh Adams

Judges: Ms. Jasmine Malcolm, Mrs. Latoya Simpson, and Pastor Pedro S Williams

Pronouncers: Mrs. Cherylann Foreman and Ms. Kawanza Morley

Time Keeper: Mr. Christopher Foster

Expressions of gratitude are extended to Mr. Orville Morgan, photographer; Mr. Gary Andrew, Technician; Ms. Tanya Swann, Director of Sales, Groups, and Conventions at Beaches Turks and Caicos, for coordinating the hosting of the event at the resort and providing complimentary snacks; Mr. Greg Been, Ms. Zoia Fessler and Mr. Chris Jarrett, Director of RTC, for live coverage on Radio Turks & Caicos.

The Ministry and Department of Education are grateful for the 2023 Annual Spelling Bee sponsorship made possible through the generous partnership of Mr. Mark Fulford, Managing Partner of F Chambers, and Mrs. Ava Fulford, Founder and Managing Director of Island Printing.  Special thanks to our long-term partners, Flow TCI and The Sandals Foundation, who continue to be gracious hosts of this event.  Thank you for your remarkable partnership.