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CNMI picks Spelling Bee bets
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Posted on Feb 25 1999
Sixth grader Leslie Cabrera of Saipan Community School came out as the best speller during this year’s All-CNMI Spelling Bee Contest that gathered 26 participants.
Zoe Vanhavre-Haigh from Whispering Palms came second. Carolyn Fitial, representing Mount Carmel School, placed third.
Coordinator Jennifer Ellis, who was a member of the board of judges, said the contest presented a whole range of words. “Some words were challenging and a lot of them were unfamiliar,” she said.
Cabrera, who dreams of becoming a writer and loves to read Shakespeare, spelled the difficult words with ease. She acknowledged the help of her coach Jill Cummings and brother Kevin, whom she spent time reviewing.
Schools which fielded in contestants include, Calvary Christian Academy, Eucon International School, Garapan, Gregorio T. Camacho, Grace Christian, Koblerville , Saipan International, William S. Reyes and Tanapag.
Winners and non-winners can all go to Guam to represent the CNMI, according to Garapan School Principal John Babauta, this year’s host.
“If 12 schools can go, then we will have 12 representatives,” he said. “But the winner from Saipan Community School has very good chances.”
The regional contest is scheduled on March 20 and all schools are invited to send representatives provided they pay everything, he said.
With this year’s tight budget, the Public School System can no longer shoulder the expenses, he said.
Saipan Community School principal Ron Smith said its current fund-raising projects will benefit the school athletic team and the multi-purpose center, but “we might be able to have money to send her.”
