Rhonoya Anderson, this year's runner-up in the Gleaner's Children Own's Spelling Bee competition, was given US$1,000 by the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security last Wednesday.
The money went towards Anderson's travel to Maryland in the United States where she is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee championships, which began on Sunday and runs through to Thursday of this week.
Anderson is a beneficiary of PATH, a government social programme aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable in society. She attends Titchfield High School in Portland and is a four-time Gleaner's Children Own Spelling Bee champion for the parish.
However, Anderson's second-place finish in the national final meant she needed financial assistance to participate in the competition abroad, as only the winner of the Gleaner's Children Own Spelling Bee is guaranteed sponsorship travel to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Speaking at the handing over of the funds to Anderson, State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Zavia Mayne said that the ministry wanted to support Anderson while highlighting the positive impact of PATH in the Jamaican society.
He said, "we have brought her here to just demonstrate our support and commitment to her. She is a true champion and has been in spelling for many years.
"Oftentimes, we are reminded that poverty is no reason for us not to advance ourselves and Rhonoya has proven that once more," Mayne said.
Anderson said that her focus is to return the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championships trophy to Jamaica as she has worked hard in training since placing second in the local competition.
She said, "they have given me an opportunity to participate in the Scripps, which I have wanted to do for quite a long time. I am expecting to win, but if not to reach as far in the competition as possible."
