ALUMINOUS stage spangled with zesty backdrop, ushered the enthralled spectators inside the auditorium. The participants of the 10th Dawn Spelling Bee Lahore Regional Competition stood impatiently waiting for their arduous work to finally yield fruit.

The Lahore Pool Round journey began from October 28th to 31st for all three age groups, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. An amazing number of 220 schools participated from 27 cities across Punjab in the Lahore Pool Round, whereas 43 schools from Multan and Southern Punjab and 26 schools from Faisalabad competed among each other in the Multan and Faisalabad Pool Rounds respectively.

Three students per age group from Multan and Faisalabad Rounds each qualified to participate in the Lahore Regional Championship held on November 1, 2014.

Over the last 10 years, Dawn Spelling Bee Competition has grown from being an annual event to an institution, which offers a healthy competitive environment and encourages students to hone their English language skill in a unique and stimulating contest.

For the final round on November 1, the teams were split up into individuals, and the spelling stars courageously spelt the words determined to conquer the Spelling Bee world. The moment was so enchanting that even the spectators were spellbound with excitement.

As soon as the judges proclaimed Sakina Batool from Lahore Grammar School (LGS), Shahjamal, the

Regional Champion for the 15-17 group, a thunderous applause broke. Mariam Abdul Rauf from Multan Public School & College, Multan, and Reham Tariq from Musab School System Main Campus, Lahore, were declared First and Second Runners-up respectively.

While Hubba Shahzad of LGS, IAI Senior, bagged the title of the Lahore Regional Champion for 12-14 age group. Saud Afzal Shafi from Beaconhouse School System, Gujarat, and Azka Rafey Khan from Salamat Girls Campus, Lahore, secured the First and Second Runners-up in this age group.

The girls managed to outshine boys in the 9-11 age group as well when Fatima Haider from LGS, 1A1 Jr., Lahore, clinched the title of Lahore Regional Champion with Syed Muhammad Rehan of The City School, Muslim Town, and Sana Zar Khan of Roots International School, Model Town, Lahore, acquiring the First and Second Runners-up slots respectively, after a thrilling To Bee or No to Bee Round.

Mr Tanwir Shah, the Pronouncer since the very first spelling bee competition, felt that the students looked more confident, well-prepared and well-aware. He also remarked that it was a collective effort of students, teachers and parents. Parents and teachers also applauded the efforts of The Dawn Media Group for this event which was held in partnership with the US Embassy, Islamabad.

The judges were Ms Ismat Riaz and Mr Raza Naeem with Rabeea Salman as the Dawn Moderator, while the pronouncer’s role was proficiently carried out by Mr Tanwir Shah.