Ambassador Commends Gleaner Company

Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, has lauded the Gleaner Company for its tremendous support of the Spelling Bee Competition and the sponsorship of Jamaica’s entry into the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee Competition, which concluded in Washington last weekend.

Welcoming the country’s spelling bee participant, Christian Allen, to the Jamaican Embassy on May 31, the Ambassador said that the “commitment of the Gleaner to the development of our country’s youth speaks volumes.”

The Ambassador congratulated young Allen for being Jamaica’s spelling bee champion, as well as the country’s representative at the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee Finals.

Ambassador Vasciannie noted that Christian and all representatives in the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee from Jamaica were true ambassadors of the country. He also had high praise for coach, the Rev. Glen Archer, who he said, has become an icon in Jamaica and who has demonstrated, over the years, great commitment to the young people.

For his part, Christian said he felt honoured and proud to represent his country in the Scripps competition.

The Gleaner’s Manager for the Business Development and Marketing Department, Mrs. Karin Cooper, spoke of “the Gleaner’s continued effort to help Jamaica to develop good citizens.”

“If we begin by getting our children involved in the spelling bee competition, we will develop children who will think and reason and ultimately, we will have a better country,” she said.

The Spelling Bee champion was accompanied by his parents, Mr. Roger and Mrs. Daunette Allen; Rev. Archer; and Mrs. Cooper.

Close to 300 competitors participated in the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition. Jamaica has been participating in the competition since 1957, and captured the title in 1998, when Jody Ann Maxwell won the coveted trophy for Jamaica.

Contact: Derrick Scott