Starting promptly at 7:00pm at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, Virgin Islanders gathered to rep their district for the 2nd Annual Adult Spell-Off Competition: District Edition, last evening.
Representing each electoral district, 9 spellers competed in 3 categories: Common Everyday Words, VI Dialect Words and BVI Signage.
At the end of the 3 categories, 5 spellers entered a heated tie breaker spell-off: Erika Creque (District 2), Iesha Forbes (District 5), Nekhoya Cheltenham (District 6), Glenda DeSouza (District 8) and Raeseon Sambury (District 9)
After an intense and challenging battle, it was Sambury (District 9 and 2022 2nd place winner) who edged to victory taking home the grand prize of $1500 cash, a half-day sail with SKA Charters and a gift certificate to Driftwood Spa.
DeSouza (District 8) who entered the competition three days prior due to a last-minute change in district representation, captured 2nd place, taking home $800 cash, a printed wall photo from Khaptured Photography and a gift certificate from Original Virgin Canopy Tours.
Third place was copped by Cheltenham (District 6) who received $500 cash, a 42” Insignia Fire TV, and a gift voucher from Delish Desserts.
The other participating spellers were Kristol Penn-Hadaway (District 1), Briana Henley (District 3), Dian Webber (District 4), and Joentah Bolton (District 7).
A key moment of the night was the selection of the school that receives all the proceeds from ticket sales. Winner Sambury chose by random draw, Willard Wheatley Primary School who will receive the $2700 donation.
Next year’s competition is set for August 17, 2024.