Sixth grade speller Khaien Donawa outlasted about 19 other competitors at the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School Spelling Bee on Tuesday, Dec. 17. After more than 10 rounds of stiff competition, Donawa correctly spelled the word “evince” to prove he’s the school’s best speller.
Second place finisher, fifth grader Yazirah Encarnacion, wasn’t an easy walk over. She quickly spelled words like “expunge,” “insinuate” and “lambasted” before succumbing. St. Croix District Language Arts Coordinator Cheryl Jerimiah-Ambrose, serving as master of ceremonies, congratulated all the spellers and proclaimed that the Bee was “an overwhelming success.” Ambrose expressed best wishes to Donawa as he moves on to the District Spelling Bee in February.