"Each year it is our pleasure to watch the spellers grow in confidence as they move from the parish finals to the national finals, and then our champion as he/she competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee," said Karin Cooper, The Gleaner's business development and marketing manager.

Cooper also said the objective of the Spelling Bee was to contribute towards the development of the nation.

"The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee assists in the development of our young persons through educational pursuit and healthy competition. We are as proud of this programme as we are of the children and schools that have benefited from the Bee," she said.

Persons interested in seeing the finals first-hand have been invited to go to The Pegasus anytime today to support the competitors.

SPELL & WIN! If you can't be there in person, take part by tuning in to TVJ, listening for the Gleaner Interactive Word and spelling the word at facebook.com/gleanerjamaica before the spellers begin. #SPELLINGBEE.