THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE (BNSB)
Participating schools throughout The Bahamas – special, public and private institutions – test their students from as early as third grade and up to the eighth grade to discover the finest in spelling ability. On average, over 35,000 students participate in the testing. However, of the total students participating, approximately 24,000 are eligible to compete in the National Spelling Programme.
This year school groups competed at District Semi-Finals to produce District Winners: Eight (8) representing North and South Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island, Abaco, Long Island and the MICAL Districts; two (2) from Grand Bahama; four (4) representing the New Providence Districts; three students representing the Independent Schools (BAISS), one (1) from Associate Schools, and two (2) students representing Catholic Schools for a total of 20 participants for the final competition.
The ultimate prize and title of Bahamas National Spelling Champion is held by the one student who remains unbeaten when the final word has been given. Our top speller represents The Bahamas at The Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Past Winners
Dominique Higgins Jordan Prince William High School 1998-1999
Deshae Morley Grand Bahama Catholic High 1999-2000
Britanny Wilkinson Freeport Anglican High School 2000-2001
Denice Deveaux Grand Bahama Catholic High 2001-2002
Kellen Knowles Home-Schooled 2002-2003
Joeanne Salise St. Georges High, G.B. 2003-2004
Joeanne Salise St. Georges High, G.B. 2004-2005
Chelsey Bipat Kingsway Academy 2005-2006
Anjanet Loon Grand Bahama Catholic High 2006-2007
Anjanet Loon Grand Bahama Catholic High 2007-2008
Robertha Dean-MCintosh St. Francis De Sales Catholic School 2008-2009
Abeni Deveaux St. Augustine’s College 2009-2010
Yelena Persaud St. Francis De Sales Catholic School 2010-2011
Current Winner
Sujith Swarna Forest Heights Academy, Abaco 2011-2012
For further information contact the Special Services Division of the Department of Education.