ISLAMABAD: The tenth ‘Dawn in Education, National Spelling Bee’ concluded in Islamabad on Tuesday. Twenty-seven students from three regions of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad competed in the final round.

The participants were regional winners, divided into three age groups - 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 years.

In the 9 to 11 years category, Sana Zar Khan from Roots School System, Lahore was declared the national champion. Izma Arif from Happy Home School Karachi and Mahnoor Mushtaq from Preparatory School Islamabad were declared first and second runners-up, respectively.

In 9 to 11 year category, Sana Zar Khan from Roots School System Lahore, became national champion. Izma Arif from Happy Home School Karachi bagged second position and Mahnoor Mushtaq from Preparatory School Islamabad obtained third position.

The national champion in the 12 to 14 years category was Saud Afzal Shafi from Beaconhouse School System, Gujrat. Sadaf Tausif of EMS High School Islamabad was declared first runner-up while second-runner up was Huba Shahzad from Lahore Grammar School.

Leila Rasul Khan from Karachi Grammar School was declared national champion in the 15 to 17 years category while Saad Bin Aamir from Roots Academy DHA Islamabad was declared the first runner up. Rama Ali from Generation School Karachi was the second runner-up.

United States Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G. Olsen attended the event as chief guest.

He said the US Embassy had been working as partner with the Dawn Spelling Bee for the last many years.

“One of the best things is that we get to see this again and again. Spelling Bees are also very popular in the US and winners get prominent space in newspapers,” he said.

The ambassador appreciated the hard work put in by all the contestants and congratulated the winners.

Later, the national champions spoke to Dawn about the experience.

“My teachers and parents spent time with me helping me prepare. I have five sisters and they also supported me,” said Sana Zar Khan.

“I worked hard to win but it was a good experience,” said Saud Afzal Shafi.

Oxford University Press Managing Director Amina Syed and Frobel’s International School teacher Zahra Ansari served as judges in this round of the competition.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2014