NASSAU, Bahamas — After a grueling competition that lasted 15 rounds, Wes Underwood, 13, an eighth-grade student at Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, was yesterday named the winner of the 26th Annual Bahamas National Spelling Bee (BNSB) Final Competition, The Nassau Guardian reported on Monday, March 20, 2023,.in an article written by Nasia Colebrooke
The competition, which was held at Breezes Bahamas resort, saw 24 contestants from around The Bahamas battle for the prestigious title.
“I feel shocked,” said Wes after claiming the crown. “I really didn’t think I’d win. I studied a lot. I just didn’t want to let myself down. I didn’t put my expectations too high.”
Both Wes and Maria Sanchez of St Andrew’s International School were originally eliminated in round 10, but were both invited to compete in the following round after Ty Williams, of Genesis Academy, misspelled his word during that round.
After rejoining the competition, Wes — whose winning word was “syntrophism”, which means, “a biological relationship in which microorganisms of two different species or strains are mutually dependent on one another for nutritional requirements”— sat through a nerve-racking spell-off between Maria and Ty, the respective second and third-place winners.
Wes, who said he is excited to go to the United States to participate in this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, explained how he prepared for yesterday’s competition.
“Plenty words,” he said. “We (he and his coach) went over words like every day – plenty, plenty studying.”
His coach, Bevil Clarke, noted that it had been a “journey” to yesterday’s competition.
“From day one, we had a strategy,” Clarke said.
“It was quite hectic balancing work and training. Every day, we tried to push in at least 50 words; it was quite a journey. I’m grateful to God for this moment.”
Clarke, who noted that preparation began from as early as September of last year, said he is looking forward to working extra hard to get Wes prepared for this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee.
“We will be stepping up,” Clarke said.
“We will have to go more forceful because what I find is that time has really been pushing against us. So, my strategy is to really double-up our efforts and actually access more of the online resources.
“To be from a small school, a small Family Island, Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School, and we have reached to this top, it has really been a moment of joy for me.
“I cannot really contain my emotions at this time. I’m so happy to God for bringing us thus far and I pray as we go on, we will continue to get that strength to push on, and I’m depending on his mom to be that guide and support network with me.”
Wes’ mom, Natalia Underwood, reacted to the win, saying, “I’m extremely proud of him.
“He’s worked very hard. He’s been in the spelling bee since grade one, so he’s not a newcomer to it, but it’s his first time here (at the Bahamas National Spelling Bee Final Competition).
“I always want to hope for the best, but like Wes said, don’t get my expectations too high, but still hope that the challengers do their best, and he did.” See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/spanish-wells-student-new-spelling-bee-champ/
