The search for Belize's best speller continued today with the selection of the Belize District's top two spellers. The venue was the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall with 18 students from 9 zones. By the time it was all over, "wheedle" was the word that took 12 year old St. Joseph student Andre Lanza over the top. Lanza now heads to the national spelling bee in June. Lanza told us this isn't his first spelling bee, but it is his first win.
Andre Lanza, 1st Place - Belize District
"I have been in the Spelling Bee from Standard 4 but I always dropped out at the elimination round but this time I am confident that I won first place."
Keith Swift,
How will you prepare for the national spelling bee next month?
Andre Lanza,
"I will have to go on the internet, this dictionary that I won with 240,000 words. So I will look in this dictionary and find lots of words."
Keith Swift,
What makes you a good speller?
Andre Lanza,
"Inspiration like A-Zee, he inspires me to become a great speller."
Rovianni Torres - 2nd Place - Belize District
"I am very excited."
Keith Swift,
How did you prepare for the spelling bee?
Rovianni Torres,
"Study from the list and take out some words from the dictionary."
Keith Swift,
What will you do to prepare for the national spelling bee next month?
Rovianni Torres,
"Study harder and take some words out of this dictionary."
Both Lanza and Rovianni Torres from St. Ignatius Primary School will represent the Belize District in the National Coca Cola Spelling Bee on June 9th. District eliminations continue in Toledo on May 11th and in Stann Creek on May 12th.
