Jasmin Adamson may have finished second at the National Spelling Bee, which means that she officially goes to the Scripps National Spelling Bee as an observer, but she has not stopped studying, because she says in life you never know what could happen, and that she may have to step onto the Washington D.C. stage to represent The Bahamas.
"If something happens to Charles [Hamilton Jr.] I would have to fill in for him," said the 11-year-old Stephen Dillet sixth grade student.And if she has to do that, she says she knows she needs to be ready to do so.
At the same time Jasmin also said that she was happy that Charles had won the competition, as he was the lone male competitor.
He bested 19 girls to earn the right to represent The Bahamas in Washington D.C., May 24-29.
Prachi Kondapuram, 12, a student at Queen's College who finished third behind the Stephen Dillet student will travel with Charles and Jasmin to the Washington competition.
"I was not disappointed at all," said Jasmin. She is actually quite proud of her runner-up status.
"Personally I'm proud of Charles himself because he was the only male in the competition and he showed other males that they can do something with their lives and not look to be out in the streets," said the daughter of Krista Bethel and Dino Adamson.
"And I was proud that I got this far." In her official role going to Washington she said she's looking forward to observing the competition to get a feel for what she will be up against if she is able to win the Bahamian title next year.
"I feel excited and elated that I have this opportunity to go and get a feel of what I'm up against for later on in life," said Jasmin.
"I'm looking forward to observing the competition so that when I come again I will know what to do at the time that I need to do it".
Jasmin was the lone primary school student among the top three finalists. Looking back, the pre-teen who is coached by Anndra Alday said it wasn't difficult to prepare for the competition as she is the kind of student who has the work ethic and doesn't give up and doesn't complain.
She's also a 3.69 grade point average (GPA) student who describes herself as obedient, intelligent and participatory.
She's also pleased that she has parents who encourage and support her in everything she decides to participate in.
And she says no matter the outcome of what she does, her parents are still proud of her for simply participating, which is one of the reasons she said she was okay with her runner-up position.
Jasmin is also one of those persons who has learned at an early age the importance of getting an education. "Education is very important because without it you can't go anywhere in life," she said.
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Jerome Fitzgerald has even praised Jasmin's accomplishment, but told her that moving forward he expects her to win, especially as she had indicated that she did not go into the competition expecting to win.
He told her to always be confident and know that when she gives her best she would rise to the top.
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