Tsuwana Augustine, a 10-year-old student from Creek and Spot Bay Primary School, won the 2023 RBC Royal Bank Primary National Spelling Bee on Tuesday, nailing the word ‘exculpate’.
The win for Augustine marked a comeback after she placed third in last year’s national spelling competition.
Augustine won with 19 points, beating Nandhini Rajesh from Cayman International School, who came second with 17 points.
This year there was a three-way tie for third place, with Cathy Vinothkumar from Theoline McCoy Primary School, and David Williams and Savannah Dewar from Red Bay Primary School each earning 16 points.
Augustine exuded confidence on stage throughout, spelling each word with a steady voice in all the rounds. As the number of competitors was whittled down and the final word spelt, the room fell silent, with audience members on the edge of their seats.
Everyone, along with Augustine, waited in anticipation to see if she spelt the word correctly. When the head judge confirmed the winning word, Augustine, with her mouth wide open, took a few steps back and threw her hands in the air in celebration of her victory. Students, teachers, parents and supporters erupted with cheers and shouts of praise for the spelling bee champion.
This year’s spelling bee attracted 61 students from 17 primary schools across the Cayman Islands and was held at the John Gray High School performance hall. Mark Ray, director of the Department of Education Services, was on hand to present the trophies and awards. Participatory medals were given to each student who competed.
“It was really great today,” Augustine said after her win. “I had to be studying and I had to be working really hard… reviewing my words.”
Augustine couldn’t hold back her excitement as she was surrounded by her twin sister, Tsawana, fellow spelling bee team members, her mom, the principal, and teachers.
Bringing the title to the Brac
For those interested in participating in the spelling bee, Augustine advised students to “work really hard in order to achieve what position they want. They don’t have to achieve first place all the time. Even though they get second place or third place, it’s OK, you don’t need to worry about it.”
Margaret Juman, principal of Creek and Spot Bay Primary School, said she took pride in bringing the title back to the Brac. “[I]t’s really, really a good feeling because after many years, we got back first place… Whatever competition we go into, we take it very seriously because if you’re competing, you’re competing to win.”
She added, “Children… know that hard work pays off, and it is a good standard for the other kids who are looking on, so [they can see]… that when we choose our students, we don’t choose them based on anything. We give every child an opportunity and, because of that, they’re successful, so this is a lesson for everybody else.”
She noted that Augustine’s parents also played a part, as well as the Year 6 class teacher.
Ericka Rolle, representing sponsor RBC Royal Bank, congratulated all the students for their hard work, hours of preparing for the spelling bee and a job well done. “It has been wonderful to witness all these beautiful students demonstrate their stunning prowess, initiatives and skill.”
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