The 15th Annual Bahamas National Spelling Bee produced fierce competition amongst the 20 participants, but it was Long Island student Peloma Cartwright who took the first place prize.
The event was held at the Crown Ballroom in Atlantis yesterday.
Peloma, 11, of N.G.M. Major High School, said she was nervous during the competition, but chalked up her victory to fastidious preparation.
"I just tried to get the definitions; I learned all my rules and I had to concentrate and think the word through," she said.
Peloma went 27 rounds, winning with the word 'reparations'.
She went seven rounds with sixth grade student Dante Rolle, 11, of Walter Parker Primary School, Grand Bahama, but in the end it was the word 'iambist' that defeated him.
Peloma will represent The Bahamas at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition in Washington, D.C.
She will be accompanied by second place winner Dante, and third place winners Alexxus Francis, 11, of High Rock Primary School in Andros and Breann Rahming, 12, of Bahamas Academy.
Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes wished the winner and participants great success.
"I know that the victor will be a fitting ambassador of The Bahamas, as she travels to Washington, D.C. to participate in the international competition," he said in his message.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and Education Minister, Desmond Bannister shared similar sentiments in their messages.

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