STUDENTS from the Fletcher’s Land community in Kingston showed off their spelling skills as they competed in the second annual Fletcher’s Land Spelling Bee Competition on October 26.

The event was organised by the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), in collaboration with the Fletcher’s Land Police Youth Club, and was held at the Fletcher’s Land Community Centre.

Assistant Community Action Officer Kadian Johnson said that the annual competition, which targets children nine to 12 years, is intended to improve their reading capacity, and motivate parents to play a more vital role in their children’s educational development.

The children competed in three categories – grades four, five, and six – with the winners in each segment awarded trophies sponsored by the CSJP.

Grade four winner Tiana-Lee Gray said she is happy to have won.

“At first I felt nervous, but while I sat there, I started to feel confident and I wasn’t nervous anymore. Now that I am the winner, I feel very proud to know that I am the champion speller in my category,” she said.

Unique Plummer, who was the victor in the grade five category, said even though she is a good speller, she did not expect to win.

“I feel happy that I won. I am extremely happy, proud, and excited,” the youngster said.

Winner of the grade six category Shanice Sterling said that she is grateful for what the CSJP and the youth club have been doing for the children in Fletchers Land. She said the competition has helped to boost her overall academic performance.

“I was very nervous at the beginning, but then I developed confidence and just told myself that I am going to be victorious. I felt like crying when I found out that I won, but I heard a voice saying ‘don’t cry, you are a winner’,” Sterling said.

Representative of the club Ramoine Peart said the club works to bridge the gap between the community and the police, and to empower youth to achieve their fullest potential.

“We realise that there are a lot of talented and smart children in the community. The club aims to showcase what we have here in our community, amidst the negative perceptions.”

He also lauded the work of the CSJP, which he said has been playing an integral role in the lives of the youth in the Fletcher’s Land community.

CSJP is a multi-faceted crime and violence prevention initiative focusing on building community safety, security and reducing poverty. The programme currently provides services to 50 volatile and vulnerable communities across eight parishes.