Portlanders Hail Young Speller

Despite failing to advance to the National Spelling Bee final round in Kingston on February 7, Nonsuch Primary School’s eight-year-old Dayton Jennings is being hailed by the Portland community for his “gallant” effort.

Young Dayton, back-to-back Portland champion speller, having burst on the national scene at the tender age of seven and who spelt nine of the 10 words he received correctly in Wednesday’s competition, is being praised for what some are calling “poised, professionalism and sheer class” for someone his age.

“What a proud moment for Portland for one so young… a true ambassador,” Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Stewart, told JIS News.

Mayor Stewart said Dayton’s accomplishment, twice Portland parish champion and the second time (back-to-back on the national stage at age seven and eight, respectively), should not be lost on anyone, calling it a feat that might be around for a very long time.

“Historic in every way… imagine the same person winning back-to-back championship for both school and parish… and at age seven and eight. Remarkable stuff,” he said.

Councillor for the Port Antonio division, Dexter Rowland, said it is great to see one so young showing so much promise and doing so well for his family and place of birth.

“As someone mentioned to me earlier, we might not have gotten the result we wanted, but we are all very proud as Portlanders for what Dayton has accomplished. To win a parish final for Spelling Bee at seven years old and to repeat it at eight years old is unheard of and certainly proves that he is the real deal. Also, let us not forget that he went up against older children, including high-school students,” he said.

Nonsuch Primary Principal, Marlise Cowie-Adiansingh, in congratulating Dayton, said the youngster remains the pride and joy of his coastal Portland district and is a role model at school and within the community.

“It was a great performance, spelling nine of the 10 words that were thrown his way. What’s also so remarkable is that if he did not have to deal with the diction and comprehension sections that were more suited to the older and high school kids, he could well have advanced to the final… so proud of him,” she said.

Businesswoman and Portlander, Rosemarie Deans, said “congratulations and a great job, young Dayton”.

“The entire parish of Portland is proud of your achievement and wishes you all the very best for the future. Also, congratulations to your family, teachers, principal, and all involved in making this happen,” she said.

Dayton’s mother, Simone Everett, said she is very proud of her son and his performance on the national stage.

“I had said after he won the Portland parish championship for the second year running that it doesn’t matter what the result at the national final would be; Dayton was already a winner,” she added.