13-yr-old girl spells her way to N0.2m cash prize, US trip

A teenage student of Cherryfield College, Jikwoyi, Abuja, Onyinyechi Ohuabunwa, has won the 2015 National Spelling Bee Competition.

Ohuabunwa defeated 44 other students who won the state editions from all over the country in the final held at the NECA hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

She clinched the star prize of a Virgin Atlantic return ticket to the 88th Scripps Spelling Bee Competition USA.

The 13-year-old was dazed by her own feat.

“Honestly, I never  thought I would win. I am in shock," she said.

I thank God, my parents, my school, my teachers and the organizers. I am  most grateful. Still can’t believe I won.”

The spelling champ also got 200,000 cash gift by Beta Malt along with other goodies from Beta Malt and Indomie Noodles.

First Runner-up, 11-year-old Iyioluwa Ebofin Emmanuela, a JSS1 student of Ladela Secondary School, Abuja, was given a N150,000 in prize money and a trip to the United Kingdom while 2nd Runner-up, Igboka Anita of GudMerc Secondary School, Abuja, came third and got N100,000.

All the winners are from Abuja-based schools.

The 2015 National Spelling Bee Competition organized by the Young Educators Foundation franchise  owners  of  Scripp National Spelling Bee Competition, USA.

To qualify, a pupil must be between the ages of eight to 13.