Portland Bee a Star in Nonsuch

When then seven-year-old Dayton Jennings was crowned the Spelling Bee Parish Champion for Portland in 2022, residents of his close-knit community of Nonsuch could hardly contain their joy. 

The achievement of the student, who attends  Nonsuch Primary, lifted the spirits of the tourism-dependent  area, which was still recovering from the economic impact of COVID-19. 

Not only was he the youngest student on record to win the Portland Bee but he was also one of the youngest to go on to compete in the national finals.  

Dayton’s calm demeanor and unwavering focus shone through as he effortlessly tackled challenging words, spelling each one with precision and confidence.  

The audience watched in awe as the young prodigy showcased his spelling skills and linguistic awareness, ultimately emerging as Portland’s champion. 

“Once it got out that Dayton had won, there was no stopping the celebrations,” Nonsuch Primary School Principal, Marlise Cowie Adiansingh, fondly remembers. 

“One must understand that the famed Nonsuch Caves have been closed, so there was really no tourism to speak of. The COVID-19 pandemic was still out there and so one could also understand the mood around these parts. Dayton’s victory couldn’t have come at a better time, as it finally gave the community something to cheer about,” she notes. 

Mrs. Adiansingh adds that she always sensed that there was something special about the seven-year-old, calling him an “extremely talented young man” with a passion for learning and someone who thrives on competition.  

She notes that while he fell short in the national finals, the youngster had won “many hearts and friends” with his confidence and aptitude. 

“His penchant to take on new challenges… and at such a young age, makes him a winner and someone, barring the unforeseen, who is definitely going places,” Mrs. Adiansingh says.  

“The fact that he knows what he wants and how to get there truly sets him apart, putting him on a remarkable journey of success and inspiring those around him,” she notes further. 

While Dayton, now eight-years-old, remains the pride and joy of the Nonsuch school community and district, his biggest cheerleaders are his mother, Simone Everett and grandmother, Christine Parkes. 

Speaking to JIS News, Ms. Everett says that her son’s journey to winning the title of Portland Spelling Bee Champion and being the parish’s representative in the national finals began with his insatiable appetite for learning, noting that from a tender age, he displayed an exceptional eagerness to absorb knowledge.  

She notes that at Nonsuch Primary, Dayton’s teachers recognised his extraordinary potential and encouraged him to participate in the school’s spelling bee competition. 

Ms. Everett adds that, with unwavering determination, Dayton dedicated countless hours to honing his spelling skills, immersing himself in books, dictionaries, and online resources, which expanded his vocabulary.  

She was also quick to heap praise on his teachers and Principal Adiansingh and the significant roles they played in nurturing his talent, providing guidance and support every step of the way. 

“He has always been first at everything. He is very competitive and is always ready for a challenge,”  she adds. 

Ms. Everett further notes that Dayton’s ambitions extend beyond winning spelling bees to serving his community as a policeman. 

“It’s a genuine passion and one that he has expressed to me over and over. He has his sights set on being a policeman; the Commissioner of Police, and I believe him. I would never bet against him,” Ms. Everett says.  

Grandma Parkes, for her part, tells JIS News that “we try to make Dayton’s life as normal as possible. We still have to remember that he was accomplishing all of this at only seven years old, a little boy,” she says. 

Meanwhile, Dayton says he enjoyed the competition and plans to re-enter. 

“I had a lot of fun last year, especially meeting the Prime Minister. I will be back!” he says.