LAHORE, Oct 6: Waleed Irfan, Marriam Fatima Ali and Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal have earned the titles of Lahore Regional Champions of Dawn Media Group’s Spelling Bee competition 2012 among 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17 age group students, respectively.

The 8th Dawn In Education Spelling Bee Competition 2012 Lahore Regional finals were held at Ali Institute of Education auditorium on Saturday.

As many as 33 students each participated in 9-11 and 12-14 years age groups, while 24 students took part in 15-17 age group.

According to results, in 9-11 years age group, Waleed Irfan of LGS, Officers Colony, Multan, secured Lahore Regional title; while Maheen Amir of DHA Junior School, 648-S, Phase-II, Lahore; and Safa Salam of LGS 534-G-I, Johar Town, stood first and second runners-up.

In 12-14 years age group, Marriam Fatima Ali of Resource Academia, Husain Chowk, Lahore; bagged Lahore regional championship. Khadija Azhar of LACAS Girls, 302-F-II Johar Town, Lahore, stood first runner-up, while Haaziquah Tahir of Sialkot Grammar School, Bhopalwala Branch, Sialkot, got second runner-up position.

In 15-17 years age group, Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal of LGS, Officers Colony, Multan, clinched Lahore Regional Champion title, while Hira Irfan of LACAS Girls, 302-F-II Johar Town, Lahore, and Aleeze Sultana Malik earned first and second runners-up slots.

Talking to Dawn, Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal said he had been participating in the competition for three consecutive years and could won the Spelling Bee Lahore region contest. He said he would try his level best to win the Spelling Bee National Competition 2012. He acknowledged that his mother helped him a great deal to prepare for the tough spelling competition.

Ahsan Iqbal said the spelling bee competition was a great academic activity that helped students enhance their vocabulary. He also acknowledged that the Dawn Media Group was caring for the cause of quality education.

Marriam Fatima Ali said she was excited on becoming Lahore Regional champion among her age cohort students and would struggle to win national championship as well.

She said the spelling bee competition gave a great exposure to students and instilled confidence in them. She said the contest had also helped them prepare for competitions in practical life.

Waleed Irfan said he was excited on winning the competition. He said the contest helped him improve his vocabulary. He said he would prepare for the national competition and try to win.

Dawn’s Assistant General Manager Syed Imran Raza presented shields to winners as well as pronouncers Tanwir Shah and Azka Khan; and judges Qudsia Sajjad, Fatima Hassan and Amna Haider.

The Dawn Media Group’s National Spelling Bee Competition among Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad Regionals finalists will be held at Islamabad Club auditorium on Oct 18.