Nataniel Stone overcame the first hurdle on Wednesday, he became Jamaica’s 2018 Spelling Bee Champion.
His accomplishment is a mark of inspiration. This was 11 year old Stone’s third try at the Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee Championship and he did it by spelling “OROTUND”.
Watch the moment when Stone claim the title on Wednesday.
In an interview with Jamaica Gleaner, Stone said.
“I have mastered the art of keeping composed. I believed, I had faith and I knew it was possible. I didn’t rush the words; I maintained my composure, and kept prayerful during the rounds, so God allowed me to win. Each time I got a word correct, I said thank you Jesus. When I got a word that I didn’t know, I just prayed, and God showed me the way. I kept the words simple and spelled what I knew would make sense. I put in the hard work, and so you just have to expect the unexpected. Again, thank God.”
Stone’s next hurdle is in May when he will travel to Washington, D.C.to take part in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship. If he wins, he will be the second Jamaican to claim this title. In 1998, Jody-Anne Maxwell won the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the age of 12, making Jamaican the only non-U.S. country or territory to ever win this title.
