For the first time, the Mindstar Spelling Bee competition was held in Tobago.
The event, hosted by A.L. Williams Educational Services and Consultancy, took place at the Shaw Park Complex, where students from Primary and Secondary schools competed in three levels.
In the Primary School category, Lambeau Anglican Primary School took the spotlight, taking first place in the Standards 2–3 and 4–5 levels, while Whim Anglican was the Standards 1–2 champion.
At the Secondary level, Harmon School of SDA was declared the winner in the Forms 1–2 and 5–6 categories, while Speyside High School topped the Forms 3–4 category.
The organiser of the event, Mrs. Adanna Leonard-Williams, said she saw the need to bring the competition to Tobago.
“I needed to do something separate to recognise the Tobago education system to give them a chance also to shine, and also in terms of logistics, in terms of travelling, come to the island rather than they always having to come to Trinidad to be able to go to competitions. I wanted them to be comfortable in their own home.”
Mrs. Leonard-Williams said she wanted Tobagonians to feel represented and to increase students’ enthusiasm for the competition. She added that words native to Tobago were included.
“I looked at places, not just just places, places of interest where tourists go. I also looked at the fauna that is succcint and recognised on the island of Tobago alone to give the children. Yes, I am learning words; however, I am also knowing more about my island and being able to spell it. If you can spell it, you can say it and you can read it.”
Technical Advisor in the Division of Education, Ms. Ann Natasha Second, reminded the participants that literacy is important.
“The capacity to comprehend and competently utilise language is the very bedrock of success in life, regardless of whatever field you will eventually pursue. When you have the ability to understand the meanings, connotations and denotations of words, there are so many more opportunities for you to fully participate in the society and in the globe.”
A tech park was also a highlight of the event, organised by one of the sponsors, Tobago Information Technology Limited.
CEO of Tobago Information Technology Limited, Ian Williams, said: “The objective is to funnel these young persons via their parents, teachers, organisers into the STEM programme because the technology is there and we have to start interfacing with it. In the next five to ten years, traditional jobs will not be the same. The things we do and process on a daily basis will be infused with AI and automation. They will not be the same, so we are exposing the youth and we want this crop of generation to be the problem solvers.”
The Mindstar Spelling Bee competition is expected to become an annual event. Mrs. Leonard-Williams said additional competitions will be coming to Tobago in the future.