Tattooist: the dictionary defines it as a tattoo artist but today spelling it correctly meant victory for 12 year old Myles Cattouse in the 10th annual Coca-Cola Spelling Bee.
Cattouse who attends Ontario Village Christian School beat out 11 of Belize's other best spellers after six grueling rounds. Grabbing an even more tightly contested second place was Keyres Dzil from Our Lady of the Way RC School in Ladyville.
Moments after their victory the nation's top two spellers gave us their reactions.
Myles Cattouse, Winner Coca-Cola Spelling Bee
"It feels good, it feels good."
Keith Swift,
"Did you think you would have won?"
Myles Cattouse,
"I had strong feelings that I would make it either in second or third place but I didn't expect to come in first."
Keith Swift,
"So you were confident?"
Myles Cattouse,
"Yes."
Keith Swift,
"What was your winning word?"
Myles Cattouse,
"Tattooist."
Keith Swift,
"Was that a hard word?"
Myles Cattouse,
"Not really."
Keith Swift,
"Keyres How does it feel to place second?"
Keyres Dzil, 2nd Place in Spelling Bee
"Well it is a great feeling.
Keith Swift,
"You guys were getting some hard words in the last round from the extra reserve list but you had an easy winning word with chihuahua. How good did you feel when you heard that word?"
Keyres Dzil,
"Well it was a really great feeling and I am happy because it is the first time my school placed second or at least we are victorious this time and last year when I entered the competition I walked away I think with 5th or 6th place; I didn't feel very bad because it was my first time but this year oh it is just....I can't explain it."
Keith Swift,
"It's been ten years since Coca-Cola has been sponsoring the spelling bee. As a corporate citizen why is it important to continue such an event?"
Nick Pollard, Sales Manager - Bowen & Bowen Ltd.
"Yes we are celebrating the 10th Coca Cola national spelling and we are very happy that we have reached that far and we are going to continue. Of course I can't say how long but we are certainly going to sit down and plan for the 11th."
"The important thing is that the students are having fun and they are very excited about the Coca-Cola Spelling Bee and they want to come, they want to come to the nationals."
Both first and second place winners went home with fully loaded computers and the winning school also got a computer. The third best speller got a $1,500 scholarship. All the other district finalists left with consolation prizes.