Gleaner's Adult Spelling Bee creating a buzz at Expo 2011

'It is one of the hallmark features of The Gleaner booth each year.'

Sheena Gayle, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

With just three days to go, adults are gearing up for The Gleaner's Adult Spelling Bee competition that will take place at the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Expo 2011 at the convention centre in Rose Hall this Saturday.

According to branch manager at The Gleaner's Western Bureau, Shernett Robinson, there is already a buzz among several adults who think they have a shot at winning the coveted Spelling Bee Champion title this year.

"It is one of the hallmark features of The Gleaner booth each year that takes place on the heels of the recently concluded Spelling Bee Parish Finals for students across the 14 parishes of Jamaica. Persons 18 and above who think they can spell or were past Spelling Bee participants or champions, can come out and showcase their spelling skills," an enthused Robinson explained.

With this being the third staging of The Gleaner's Adult Spelling Bee competition at the expo, she added that it has now become a calendar event that adults look forward to competing and prove that they are just as good as the Spelling Bee parish finalists.

"In addition to winning the title, persons will have to opportunity to win a computer, courtesy of Flow, and cash prizes, among other things. The prizes this year have definitely improved, so it is just for persons to come out, participate, spell and win prizes. At the last expo, two years ago, the response to the competition was good and this year we want to better that," she noted.

The competition will take place on Saturday, October 15, and is expected to begin at 2 p.m.

Words for the competition will be taken from The Gleaner's Spelling Bee book that is on sale the Bureau's office on 9 King Street, Montego Bay, and the cost for the book is J$200. Get your copy and start practising today. The shorter Oxford Dictionary is the preferred choice for dictionary reference.

In a bid to register early, persons are encourage to call: 952-2454 or 952-2822, extension 5238 or 5223.