Long Island District Spelling Bee

Tanya Cartwright
LIM Correspondent

Do you want to improve your child's spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts and develop correct English usuage that will help them all their lives? If your answer is yes, then you should consider having your child train for the Long Island District Spelling Bee.
This competition is patterned after the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and is being used as the elimination event for the selection of a winner to represent Long Island in the National Spelling Bee in New Providence.
In this year's competition which was held at the Resource Centre Gray's, Long Island on January 31st 2003, residents of Salt Pond took home the overall prize of 1st place in both categories and to everyone's amazement N.G.M Major took home first, second, third and fourth prizes.
There were twenty participants in grades four to five. The competition is split into two categories: oral and written. The purpose of the written category is to help determine the third place finisher. In grades four to five, Lindsay Rigby was eliminated along with a student of Morrisville Primary but received the third place finish because he spelled two more words correctly than his opponent in the written category.
The competition in the grades four and five category can get tense at times. Sometimes the students nerves would get the better of them. It was apparent in their facial expressions that they knew how to spell the words correctly but failing to slow down, they would misspell.
The winner in the above category was Brittany Cartwright, a grade four student of Mangrove Bush Primary whose ambition in life is to become a doctor. Brittany's confidence was apparent throughout the competition. Coming in second was Alecia Adderley a grade five student of Simms Primary whose goal is to become a teacher. Third place was won by eight year old Lindsay Rigby, student of Deadman's Cay Primary School.
In the National division, first place finish went to Leandra Fox who is also a resident of Salt Pond and attends N.G.M. Major High School where she is presently in the eighth grade. Leandra appeared to be very calm throughout the competition which ultimately led her to the gold. Kara Cartwright who competed before was neck to neck with Leandra and took home second place. Classmate Shelby Knowles also a student of N.G.M Major High School received third place and Kyle Walkine received fourth place finish.
Leandra will represent Long Island in the National Spelling Bee held in Nassau and will have a chance to represent her country in the International competition held in Washington D.C later this year.

The Long Islanders' Associations

The annual fund-raisers are as follows:
The Long Island Fair and Raffle held at R. M. Bailey
The 31/2 mile Walk-a-Thon from Goodman’s Bay to Rock Point
The Long Island Regatta in picturesque Salt Pond, Long Island
The Long Island Regatta Souvenir Magazine
The Annual Dinner Dance in December.

This year we have produced our very own Long Island Calendar, that depicts colourful and exciting photographs of the Long Island Regatta and other interesting sites around this very lovely island. The calendar was compiled by Tex Turnquest; one of our past presidents, utilizing the
See page 3

1st Annual Run Walk Cycle

By Tanya Mona Lisa
LIM Correspondent

The first annual 'Larry Cartwright Run Walk Cycle' took place on Saturday January 2003.
For a couple of junior competitors the season got off to an exciting start. The young and not so young lined up in Pinders despite threatening rain at 6:30am in the morning, braving the cold chill.
In the female division Sharon Forbes placed 1st followed by Dania Turnquest and on the men’s side Stafford Miller beat out Dominic Turnquest. Merith Burrows who is always up for a challenge won in the fifty and over division, while Maris Cartwright received an award for the oldest participant.
Pear Carroll who runs for N.G.M Major High School completed the seven-mile race with a first place finish. For Dan Weightman this was just another training session as he went away with first place in the men’s division. Blake Carroll took home first place in the running division age 12 category.
George Knowles cycled from Thompson Bay Inn to the Resource Centre in Gray’s effortlessly.
For the first race of the season some persons didn't know what to expect but were quite pleased with the results. For many it was their morning walk and for others it was a chance to compete against their peers.
Participants came from the northern, central and southern parts of the island. Mr. Larry Cartwright M.P for Ragged Island and Long Island was the 'water boy' for the event. Mr. Jerome Knowles of Confidence Insurance recognized Mr. Cartwright for his many years of support and dedication to the Long Island Community especially in the sporting arena.
This event, which was organized by Mr. Alphonso ‘Chicken’, Albury is the first of many events to come. There will be an event every month.
Competing in these events is a big confidence builder, especially for the younger ones that actually complete the five to seven mile event.

Toddlers walk the mile

Maybe now Habakkuk Pre-school will get the attention they deserve. After all they walked a mile!
In a league where some adults are panting by the time they finish such a walk, most of the pre-schoolers practically ran the mile. Who said sugar doesn’t pay off! Twenty-five children in total ranging from age two to four walked the Constitution stretch. Having learned that they were going to be out of school for the day, they were charged and ready to go.
Guided by a Police escort and accompanied by some parents, the tikes made the walk in about thirty minutes.
Sponsor sheets were given to the parents about ten days prior to the walk-a-thon to raise funds for a future event. The child with the highest sponsorship will receive a trophy.
Most of the children weren’t even deterred by the walk; so after taking a fifteen-minute break for water some of the children wanted to walk back completing a two-mile walk.

6th Biennial Miss North Long Island Competition

By: Tanya Mona Lisa
LIM Correspondent

In the 6th Biennial Competition Miss North Long Island High Talent Competition 2003, the contenders dazzled the crowd not just with their bright smiles, but more so with their extravagant display of talent.
The talent competition was held at Thompson Bay Inn on Saturday 25th January 2003. The contestants represented precious stones such as the Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby and Topaz. They graced the stage with a racy dance sequence complete with gymnastics to the tune of Aaliyah’s 'We Need A Resolution.'
The room was jam-packed as family and friends came to support their favorite contestants.
Hazel Sears, a definite crowd pleaser represented the Garnet. This stone emphasized physical strength and endurance, somethings that Hazel evidently has plenty of. Demonstrating her physical capabilities she performed one gymnastic routine after another to the tune of 'This How We Clap.' The ninth grade student is one of the most outstanding junior female athletes in the sports programme. She aspires to become a physical education teacher.
Deandra Roker, an eleventh grade student and a member of the student council represented the Sapphire. The Sapphire is believed to have high energy and healing powers. Deandra believes that we all have the potential for generating energy and healing people. Her dream is to become a pediatrician, not only because of her love for children but because she believes that they are our future. Deandra enjoys reading, writing poetry and meeting new people.
Miss Emerald, Idella Thurston who is fondly called 'Della' is a ninth grade student who loves dance and music. She recently fell in love with the trumpet and it has become her second passion next to track and field. She is constantly training to gain an opportunity to win a Gold medal for The Bahamas and become a 'Golden Girl.' Idella performed a poem written by Mrs. Louis Pelacanos and was doing quite well until she became nervous causing her to stumble verbally; but as her name implies, the crowd loved her and urged her to continue.
With her natural beauty Denequa Adderley who is able to stimulate happiness represented the Amethyst stone. She is a grade nine student and lists her hobbies as singing and showing off how talented she is. For her talent Denequa sang.
The youngest of the competitors, Bianca Knowles took on the title of Miss Ruby. This young energetic grade eight student came on the stage showing complete confidence as her beautiful smile won the crowd over. Bianca's passion is writing poems, one of which she read in the talent segment. Her ambition is to become a certified nurse. Her motto is “nothing comes to those who wait, you must do it.”
Miss Topaz, Michelle Knowles is a tenth grade student whose hobbies include singing, traveling and socializing with people. For her talent Michelle sang 'The World's Greatest.'
The night was full of excitement, during the evening wear the 'Fly Boys' decked to the nine's in black tuxedos escorted the beautiful girls onstage.
First runner-up went to Hazel Sears. Her strength and endurance characterized her as a winner.
Miss Melissa Williams crowned Miss Deandra Roker as this year's Queen, her beauty and charm won the hearts of the crowd and judges.
Bianca Knowles won Miss Photogenic.
This year’s competition was definitely a success and the level of competition has definitely been raised.
Congratulations to all who participated because you are all winners!