By JEREMY FRANCIS

Freeport News Reporter

Following a disappointing performance at last year's Archdiocesan Catholic Spelling Competition, Kermit Saunders, 10, of St. Vincent de Paul School came back renewed and exceeded his own expectations during Friday's competition at Xavier's Lower School in New Providence.

The resilient youngster revealed that he took on a new approach going into the spell-off this year. One of his new tactics, he said, involved maintaining a calm on-stage composure, which he says his coach, Evelyn Nesbitt, and his father helped him work on.

"Last year I was extremely nervous. I got really scared because of all the people and didn't make it very far. I was more relaxed this year," he said.

His principal, Alexandria Bowe, couldn't agree more, pointing out that he also performed better this year because of his constant communion with God throughout the competition.

"Before he was issued a word, he was praying. You could see that he was sitting there praying. He was praying throughout the competition, calling on God to help him," she said. "Obviously it worked. It helped to calm his nerves and to do what he was supposed to have done."

In addition to his profound faith, Saunders noted that his tireless hours spent in training, both at school and at home, were instrumental in helping him place second at the 38th annual competition – he finished behind Runako Aranha-Minnis of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School.

"He was self-motivated," coach Nesbitt said of him. "He did a lot of studying on his own, so when he came to school, we just worked together."

Because of his fine-tuned training habits, at the competition, which is open to all Catholic primary schools in the country, Saunders was able to outspell 29 of his 30 competitors.

A delighted Principal Bowe stated that she was extremely proud of his performance, citing that "it's been a very long time since St. Vincent has placed in a competition."

Saunders says that he

will either be attending Catholic High or Freeport High School next year, but no matter the school, he says that he plans to continue participating in spelling competitions.

CAPTION: PERSISTENT – Kermit Saunders shows-off his trophy and award he received for placing second at the 38th annual Archdiocesan Catholic Spelling Competition held in Nassau this past Friday. He performed much better this year than he did last year. Also pictured are his coach, Evelyn Nesbitt, left, and St. Vincent de Paul School Principal Alexandria Bowe, holding up the school's trophy.(Photo by Angelo Armbrister)