The Tribune

DONOVAN Butler, the Bahamas National Spelling Bee champion, took to the stage yesterday afternoon in his bid to reach the finals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland.

The 13-year-old eighth grade student at St Augustine’s College correctly spelt ‘Azulejo’ and ‘Agribusiness’ in the preliminary rounds at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbour but fell short of a place among the 45 finalists who achieved the required 27 points after his written test was taken into consideration.

Among the 284 spelling champions participating in this year’s competition, one is doing so for the fourth time. There are eight three-year repeaters and 61 two-year repeaters.

Donovan won the Bahamas National Spelling Bee at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island on March 20 when he beat 19 other finalists.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the largest and longest-running educational promotion in the United States and The Bahamas has participated in the annual event since 1998.