The Sunday Mail
Allistar Volo Head PR of Rotaract club of Borrowdale Brooke
In the spirit of “Service Above Self”, the Rotaract Club of Borrowdale Brooke held its inaugural Spelling Bee Competition at Hatcliffe 1 Primary School recently. The event was backed by sponsors and the teaching staff of the school as well as the children that participated in the Spelling Bee to showcase their prowess of the command of the English Language.
The participants were the Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes.
The Grade 3 winners, in order of the winner to 4th Runner-up, were: Cyril Chipato, Ropafadzo Anusa, Anotida Dambamuromo, Mavis Matare and Tehila Nyakudya.
The grade 4 winners, also in order of the winner to 4th Runner-up, were: Michael Gushure, Patience Manhomanzi, Ashley Gushure, Eva Dausi and Tinotenda Nherera.
Preparations had been made weeks prior to the day and the children were all dawned in their uniforms, enthusiastic about the occasion. Some of the children had come to participate whilst some had come to cheer their friends on. Parents of the children as well as residents in the Hatcliffe community were present to witness the proceedings. The headmistress, Mrs Fungai Koza, was not available for the day and her duties to welcome all parties were undertaken by her Deputy, Mrs Tavarera.
The Rotaract Club was supported by a wide sponsorship base who also spear-headed the Charity Soccer Challenge that was held straight after the Spelling Bee Competition.
Speaking as Guest of Honour for the event, Mr Lovemore T. Manatsa noted the history, progression, meaning and benefit of Spelling Bees. Representing the Nazareth Men’s Fellowship (NMF), he also enlightened on how the organisation had come to be, their values and what they had achieved so far in helping their communities.
“In fulfilment of NMF’s second objective to ‘Provide occasions for fun and recreation,’ our presence here confirms that we work hard and also play hard,” said Mr Manatsa in reference to the organisation’s contribution to the Charity Challenge Match.
The prizes to the contestants included school fees and uniforms in their varying proportions, the winners having all their school fees paid for an entire year.
The winner who captured everyone’s heart was Michael Gushure. The young man was the only contestant in the entire competition to go through to the final round with no word having an incorrect spelling. The mother, who happened to be one of the teachers at the school, celebrated in tears of joy along with some who were present.
“This project was in the pipeline for many years and we as the Rotaract Club of Borrowdale Brooke are excited that it finally came to fruition in 2016. We hope this will be the first of many Spelling Bee competitions to come,” said the president elect for the club, Mr Brian Mataruka, in his vote of thanks.
The Rotaract Club of Borrowdale Brooke is part of Rotary International which is a volunteer service organisation of business and professional people in 165 countries around the world. The organisation has six areas of focus which promote the following: peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. Sponsored by their parent club, The Rotary Club of Borrowdale Brooke, the Rotaract Club is comprised of young professionals ranging from the ages of 18 to 30 that aim to serve the community in a selfless manner and develop the members’ professional and social lives.
Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.
