Feb. 2, 2008 – The Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Office of the St. Thomas-St. John Superintendent, the Office of English Language Arts, in conjunction with the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa and the Virgin Islands Daily News will host the 35th anniversary of the St. Thomas-St. John District Intermediate Spelling Bee, according to District Language Arts Coordinator Cedelle Niles. The competition will be held at 9 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
"This exciting event will determine which of the district's six top spellers will advance to the territorial spelling bee for a chance to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May," said Niles.
Participating students and their schools are: Shellece Nelson, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Kellyah Lettsome, Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky Elementary; Shakeem John, Leonard Dober Elementary; TJ Thompson*, Addelita Cancryn Junior High; D'andra Benjamin*, Emanuel Benjamin Oliver Elementary; Abbyssinia Hodge, Evelyn Marcelli Elementary; Damian Sanchez, Gladys Abraham Elementary; Zoya Otto, Guy Benjamin Elementary; Ebony Brown*, Joseph Gomez Elementary; Amanda Perry*, Joseph Sibilly Elementary; Kera Smith, Lockhart Elementary; Kinaya Williams, Ulla Muller Elementary; Yvette Juste, Julius E. Sprauve School; Jobarlee Wrensford, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary; Portia Norkaitis*, All Saints Cathedral School; Taylor Ladd*, Antilles School; Omari Graham, Calvary Christian Academy; Shemeca Smith, Tutu Church of God Academy; Nicholas Lopez, Gifft Hill School (St. John); Ariel Douglas, New Testament Academy; Samantha Rosebury, Virgin Islands Montesorri School; Jennifer Vante, Sts. Peter and Paul School; Devonte Cylne, St. Thomas Seventh-day Adventist School; Koi Rivera*, Moravian School; and, Akil Turner-Richards, Wesleyan Academy.
(* indicates repeat winners for two consecutive years).
For more information, contact Cedelle Niles at 775-2250, ext. 8527.