Today the 19th Annual Finger Spelling Bee was held at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium. It takes countless hours of studying and recitation to prepare for a spelling bee competition but these participants pulled it off with sign language and video aids. Courtney Weatherburne has more.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Sign language: to the uninitiated, it might seem bizarre and confusing given the swift and fluid hand gestures, but for these young finger spellers, it's pretty easy.
And while they form words with ease, it is challenging for the teachers and facilitators who are tasked with preparing the students for the competition.
Earlett Thomas, Manager, NaRCIE
"It's a long process. We usually have to select the words, make sure that we find a sign for the word. We do a video and then we distribute it to the districts and then in the districts they have their elimination and their best candidate to participate in the spelling B. It is extremely challenging because you know you can listen by sound and you can learn to pronounce a word, but if you don't get the sound or if you sign it wrongly, a little twitch in the hand can make a difference and then the child won't know which word you are signing and it's also difficult because our children, we don't have parents who can sign, so the only time they get to practice is at school."
But the hard work definitely paid off for Cayo Deaf Institute student Elizabeth Shub who came in 1st for the Junior category.
Marvin Plett, Cayo Deaf Institute
"It's a pleasure to be here today because of all these students so bright out here trying to do their spelling B and I am happy to see them making gain. The girl who won, she is really bright, so I am really happy for her."
Their happiness was multiplied when they took the first place title for the Senior Category as well. Brenda Coc admitted that it was a bit challenging but she still came out on top.
Carolyn Reimer, Teacher, CDI
"Well I think the children really did a good job and really being into spelling. The credit goes to them, they did good."
Jason Solis, Crystal Brand Coordinator, Bowen and Bowen
"A very special event for us. An event that we hold dear to our hearts. This is all a part of disability week and so this is something that Crystal has been sponsoring every year. It's a national event, schools from all over the country have their qualifications in their school and they come together for this one day event where you see gifted kids spelling. It's really great to watch."
1st and 2nd place winners in both categories received a Kindle HD Fire tablet along with other educational supplies.
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