SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle, in partnership with Windward Islands Bank (WIB), successfully launched its 2026 Annual Spelling Bee Competition with the preliminary round held on Sunday, November 1, at Paradise Event Hall.
The event brought together 26 students, ages 9 to 10, representing seven schools from St. Maarten and three schools from Anguilla, all competing for a spot in the semi-finals.
Participating schools from St. Maarten included Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School, St. Dominic Primary School, Seventh-day Adventist School, Leonald Conner School, MAC John A. Gumbs Campus, Learning Unlimited Preparatory School (LU), and Caribbean International Academy (CIA).
Anguilla was represented by Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School, Orealia Kelly Primary School, and Omololu International School.
The competition opened with inspiring remarks from Grace Linger, President of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle; Emilia Connor-Thomas, representing main sponsor Windward Islands Bank; Melissa Gumbs, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS); and Jeffrey Sochrin, Assistant Governor for Rotary District 7020, St. Maarten and Anguilla.
Following an impressive display of spelling excellence, the top ten scorers earned advancement to the semi-finals, scheduled for Sunday, November 8, where they will compete for a place in the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists represent St. Dominic Primary School, Caribbean International Academy (CIA), Learning Unlimited Preparatory School (LU), Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School, Orealia Kelly Primary School, MAC John A. Gumbs Campus, and Leonald Conner School.
All participants received certificates of participation and goody bags in recognition of their hard work and dedication. A special token of appreciation was also presented to Minister Melissa Gumbs, who served as moderator for the preliminary round, in recognition of her support and contribution to the event's success.
The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten-Mid Isle remains committed to fostering literacy, education, youth development, and community engagement through initiatives that inspire academic excellence and lifelong learning among the region's young people.
