Semi-Finals of 5TH Scotiabank Rotary-Rotoract Spelling Bee 2018
 
Last Sunday The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle hosted the semi-finals of the 5th Scotiabank Rotary-Rotoract Spelling Bee 2018.
 
The ten semi-finalists representing six schools were Yaashoda Sanchara from Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School, Nasya Gayle from MAC School Rev. John A. Gumbs Campus, Nihal Chugani from St. Dominic Primary School, Khushi Soneji from Mac School – Browlia F. Maillard Campus, Sameer Chatani from St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School, Mikage Dorecelus from Ruby Labega Primary School, and from the Anguilla School, Tamara Hall-Sampson, Jayda Adams, Zakkai Lake and Ayana Carty.
The judges were introduced, the moderator Rhodda Arrindell, head judge President Denise Antrobus, judges Rotarian Davy Moree and Rotarian Reena Manek, logistics tech Theodore Wilson and time keeper Rotarian Aernout Kraaijeveld.  The St. Maarten Song was sung by Spelling Bee Chair Grace Linger.
In the Preliminary Round the participants had to write the selected words, but this week at the semi-finals, they were required to stand in front of the audience and the judges and speak into the microphone with their selected word.  Each participant had to spell twenty words. Ten words per round with a ten-minute break in between; each word was worth five points.  At the end of the semi-finals there was no tie but it was a tight finish. 
 
Heading to the finals representing three schools from St. Maarten are Nasya Gayle - MAC John A. Gumbs Campus, Mikage Dorcelus - Ruby Labega Primary School, Sameer Chatani – Seventh Day Adventist School, and from the Anguilla Schools Zakkai Lake and Ayana Carty.
 
The finals will be held at the Belair community Center. The finals will start promptly at 1.00 pm p.m. Everyone is asked to be on time, and participants are asked to arrive by 12 noon.  Family, friends, classmates and teachers are invited to come out to support and cheer on the five finalists, as there will be a prize for the school with the largest number of supporters.  There is also a 40” TV being raffled, so if you have bought a ticket(s), the drawing will take place on the final day of the Spelling Bee on October 28th, you have to be present to win!