Some Words Are Spelled, Some Words Are Lived
Thirty (30) students had the opportunity to stand before an audience, take the microphone, listen carefully, think under pressure and trust what they had learned.
That is what made the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis’ Spelling Bee more than a competition. A project towards advancing basic education and literacy.
For weeks, the club’s ABC of Education campaign highlighted different parts of the educational journey: Access, Confidence, Knowledge, Opportunity, Possibility, Reading, Spelling, Wisdom and Zeal.
On this day, S for Spelling came to life.
10 schools. 30 contestants. One stage.
Words were called. Words were spelled. Some were conquered, while others proved difficult. But every student who stepped forward had already achieved something important: the courage to try.
The competition tested more than spelling ability. It gave the students an opportunity to speak before an audience, manage pressure, listen carefully and demonstrate what they had learned.
Turning Competition into Opportunity
The Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis believes that an educational project should leave something behind.
The top three contestants received cash prizes:
- First place — ₦100,000 (Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo Offot, Uyo)
- Second place — ₦70,000 (Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns)
- Third place — ₦50,000 (Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns)
The winning school, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo Offot, Uyo, also received 5 desktop computers, 5 UPS units and desks towards its computer laboratory. This turned the competition into an investment that can continue supporting students long after the event.
The top five students will also have the opportunity to compete at the state Spelling Bee Competition, with the possibility of progressing to the Inter-State Spelling Bee Competition.
In appreciation, the Vice Principal of Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo Offot, thanked the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis and all her partners for providing them the opportunity to have their first ever computer lab.
A Collaborative Effort
The project was made possible through the collaboration of the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, Rotary Club of Eziukwu Aba, Rotaract E-Club of Ibom Cosmopolitan, Rotaract Club of Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences, Rotaract Club of Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba, and Interact Club of Government Technical College, Aba, alongside Merilebon Academy, the club’s education partner.
The project also depended on the support of Rotarians, Rotaractors, volunteers, judges, teachers, schools and friends of Rotary who contributed their time, ideas, resources and energy.
Most importantly, it created a platform for 30 young people to challenge themselves and experience what is possible when people invest in their education.
More Than Words
To the 30 contestants, you came to spell.
But we hope you left knowing that your voice matters, your knowledge matters, your dreams matter, and there are people willing to invest in your future.
Some words are spelled.
Some words are lived.
And through this Spelling Bee, the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis hopes these young people will continue to spell and live words such as confidence, opportunity, knowledge, courage and possibility.
Creating Lasting Impact, one young mind at a time.