Queens College Student shines at 4th Annual Spelling Bee Competition

The Guyana Police Force’s Community Relations Department on Sunday concluded its 4th Annual Spelling Bee Competition with an impressive display of confidence and talent from young participants. Among the top performers was Queens College student Koyama Blair, a member of the Buxton Young Achievers Youth Group, Regional Division 4C, whose composure and strong spelling ability earned her a place among this year’s winners.

Blair, who has been participating in the event for three years, said her initial motivation came from her mother, Grace Williams. “My mom encouraged me to do it, so I was like, hey, let’s try it,” she recalled. After securing second place last year, she returned this year determined to improve her standing. “I really wanted to redeem myself,” she said with a smile.

Preparation for the competition became a household effort. Blair received the official word list two weeks before the event but admitted she only began studying seriously in the final week. Her mother printed the list and quizzed her every night, while her sister, Zionara, also helped. “Some nights I got a few wrong, and my mom got upset,” she laughed. “So I decided to study on my own afterward, and it all worked out. I got all the words right at the competition.”

An avid reader, Blair credits her love of books for expanding her vocabulary. “Reading makes it easier,” she said. “If you enjoy what you read, you’ll learn without even trying.”

The final round proved to be one of the most exciting moments of the competition. With three contestants remaining and six challenging words left, Blair said she felt confident. “I was excited. I knew all the words, and I knew if the list ran out, I’d still be able to spell whatever they gave me,” she noted. However, the judges surprised the competitors with an unexpected announcement— all three finalists would share the winning title due to their strong performance. “I didn’t think three people could win,” Blair admitted. “But it was a different experience and a fun one.”

Despite her success, Blair acknowledged that short, simple words were her biggest challenge. “I would rush through them because I thought they were too easy… and then I’d get them wrong,” she said. “My mom always told me, ‘See? You rushed it.’ So that was my main challenge.”

Encouraging other young people, Blair advised aspiring spellers to embrace reading and consistent practice. “Practice. Read a lot. Read what you enjoy not just what people tell you to read,” she said. “And try not to be too nervous. Breathe in, breathe out. Drink some water if you can.”

She also encouraged youths to get involved in community groups. “Why have doubts?” she asked. “The youth group I’m part of is friendly and accepting. They won’t deny anyone at the door. If you want a community, you should go ahead and join.”