The Al Ekha'a Boys School (International Section) held its first Spelling Bee. Students from grade one to grade six participated in the competition, according to a press release. Spectators were treated to an evening of nail-biting rounds as learners competed for first place in each event. The evening was the fruit of five weeks' of elimination rounds that resulted in ten finalists representing each grade on the big night. Each student memorized more than 300 words chosen from lists used by Spelling Bee Leagues in the United States. The competition was coordinated by Ibrahim Charles and Marc Anthony, English teachers at the school. A large number of students, parents, and staff members attended the event, along with Al Ekha'a School Director General, Mohammed Al Harithy. Masters of Ceremony for the evening were grade 12 students Ahmed Fatayer and Abdulaziz Khalid. Judges on the night were teachers Gearoid Ferrick, Michael Fischer and student Abdul Rahman Darras. School Principal Sean Goulding said, “We intend to make our Spelling Bee an annual feature of the school calendar. It is a wonderful means of promoting learning and fostering the spirit of friendly competition”. — SG
