Jamaican Speller Lauded on Scripps Spelling Bee Performance

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, has lauded Jamaican student, Tajaun Gibbison, on his performance in the just concluded 2014 Scripps Spelling Bee competition.

Tajaun, Jamaica’s 2014 Spelling Bee winner, performed creditably to finish among the top 10 of the 281 participants in the Scripps competition, which was held in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.

“We see young Tajaun’s performance as a vindication of the quality of education that is available in Jamaica, and an affirmation of the sterling contribution of the Gleaner and coach, Rev. Glenn Archer, to education enhancement over the years,” the Ambassador stated.

His comments were made during a courtesy call paid on him by Tajuan, and his mother, Yvonne Gibbison, at the Jamaican Embassy, on May 30, ahead of their return to the island.

They were accompanied by Rev. Archer; and Business Development and Marketing Manager at the Gleaner Company Limited, main sponsor of the local Spelling Bee competition, Nordia Craig.

In commending Tajuan, Ambassador Vasciannie told him that: “all members of the Embassy team, and Jamaicans all over, watched the competition on Thursday night, May 29, with great pride as you placed Jamaica among the top 10 in the Scripps National competition. Your performance was of the highest standard, making you an excellent ambassador for Jamaica.”

Mr. Vasciannie pointed out that Tajuan’s display demonstrates that Jamaica has evolved into a formidable “academic powerhouse.”

In his response, Tajaun expressed satisfaction with his performance, and credited God, his parents, and coach, for the preparation which enabled him to advance and place among the competition’s top 10 participants.

Tajuan said he was proud to represent his country, adding that “my wish is that next year’s champion will do well, and even supersede me.”

Rev. Archer paid tribute to the Gleaner Company’s facilitation of Jamaica’s Spelling Bee programme, which, he contended, bodes well for the country’s academic advancement.

He pointed out that Jamaica’s Spelling Bee programme has produced 26 national champions, adding that “our spellers have performed excellently over the years.”

“When our Spelling Bee entrants can enter the USA and do well among those who excel here, it says a lot about our country,” he said.

Jamaica’s first and only Scripps National Spelling Bee champion is Jody-Anne Maxwell, who won the competition in 1998.