Students Put Spelling Skills To The Test At Mindstar Java Spelling Bee
Students put their spelling skills to the test at the Mindstar Java Spelling Bee, and according to organisers and educators, the competition’s value extends beyond academics.
A.L. Williams Educational Services and Consultancy’s Mindstar Java Spelling Bee and Tech Park 2026 saw both primary and secondary school students compete for cash prizes.
The competition took place at Presentation College, San Fernando, on Tuesday.
According to its Director, Adanna Leonard-Williams, the competition is much more than a spelling contest.
« The Mindstar Java Spelling Bee has become a series to expose students who may not be on their teams or be the choice of their school but to expose students to build their confidence, to continue to strive for excellence in academia, and for parents to also have something not just fun during the July/August vacation but to still keep their children abreast with their educational pursuits so that when they go out to school, they are ready and prepared to face another academic term. »
Vice-Principal of Presentation College San Fernando, Kirk Phillip, says the school is happy to host initiatives like these, noting that they equip students with critical skills.
« As an educator I am quite aware of some of the challenges that we face today with technology, social media, AI and the works, but it is to be seen the skills that can come out from an event like this, the analytical skills, as students face the challenges of spelling words, which may be unfamiliar to them, and the challenge to identify the origin of the words such deductive reasoning is a skill that can be transferred into the classroom and across. »
Incoming students of the College, currently engaged in a camp on campus, gave the competition their best shot.
« It was very interesting to see small children spelling very hard words better than me. »
« It was a challenge, and I would like to say it was actually kind of nice. »
« Once you start doing it and you see you know the words, you’re good, if you don’t know the words, I don’t know what to say. »
Parents, supporters and friends showed their support for the youngsters as they put their best foot forward, tackling one word at a time.
