High praise for Marlie Mount’s top Spelling Bee champ

The quiet lad claimed the highest position ever by any student of the Old Harbour-based institution when he misspelled the word O-C-C-U-S-H-A-I-R (also spelt O-C-C-U-S-U-R-E) to finish behind eventual champion Toriann Beckford of McAuley Primary and Homestead Primary’s Halliannah Smith. 

Fifty spellers from across the parish of St Catherine competed with Beckford lifting the coveted trophy when she correctly spelled S-A-C-E-R-D-O-T-A-L which means “relating to or denoting a doctrine which ascribes sacrificial functions and spiritual or supernatural powers to ordained priests”.

This was Stewarts’ third attempt at the competition and despite being utterly disappointed with the outcome the team behind him was over the moon.

“We are very elated, we have been working with Amir over the years and we know that he would have done extremely well.

“I was at the competition and for me this is a win, even though he might not have placed first we are really, really happy for his success,” beamed a very proud Josephine Parker-Mullings, acting principal of Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School.

What makes Stewart’s achievement even more special was the limited time he had to prepare.

“For the short time that we had, we didn’t start until about September, he made himself available and prepared as much as we could,” said Tameka Hall-Campbell, a member of the coaching staff along with fellow teacher colleague Aletie Anderson and master Spelling Bee coach Errol Campbell who is also coached the parish champion.

“One day he’s going to get his ultimate goal, because he wants to be first. That is not something that just comes overnight; you have to have the love and the knack for it. You have to have that special zeal to do so well in such a little time,” added Hall-Campbell, who described Amir as an introvert.

His dedication towards his school work made the task of his coaches easier. But Amir’s mom Shanti Stewart also played a crucial role.

“Commendations to the hard work of our teachers, even though Ms Anderson is on leave, she took the time out to assist us in preparing him. Mrs. Campbell, she has her class and she took the time out to make time to assist in preparing him,” said Parker-Mullings. “I must also commend his mother because she has worked tremendously with him. Giving him that extra assistance at home and ensuring that he was successful.”

And speaking to Old Harbour News, an elated Mrs Stewart says Amir’s gift of spelling was observed very early.

“He made me understand that spelling is a science,” she said in admiration of her son’s achievement.

“Amir really wanted to win it for Marlie Mount. The day (of the parish final) when he came home, he was still crying and upset and I said to him ‘Amir you have done so well… you are almost at the top’. And he said ‘mommy’ I just want to win it for Marlie Mount’.

For Amir, who is an A-Quest student – a special programme for gifted students performing above average – and a senior prefect “I didn’t know it was such a big competition at first;  I thought it was just a (regular) school competition”.