Students demonstrate Spanish prowess

In a bid to find out which school possesses the most proficient Spanish speakers, the Spanish Dept at John Gray High School hosted its second annual national inter- secondary schools and its inaugural national inter-primary schools Spanish quiz competition last month.

The organisers said it was an outstanding event, with Edna Moyle Primary School taking first place in the primary division, Red Bay Primary claiming second place, and Cayman Academy taking third place, while East End Primary and The Sharon Marie Martin Primary also participated. The winners in the high school category were hosts John Gray High School who retained their championship, with Clifton Hunter High School coming in at second place, and also winning the team spirit trophy. It was a nail-biting tie for third place between Cayman Academy and Cayman Prep, with Cayman Academy taking the third place after a tie break.

For the Head of the Spanish Department, Kerita Levermore-Stewart, it was a vision for more than seven years to have a Spanish quiz competition of this magnitude.

“The students enjoyed every round,” she said. “This is a proud moment for the Spanish departments across the Cayman Islands!”

Ms Levermore-Stewart wished to thank sponsors who made this dream a reality: Top Taste Restaurant, Fosters, Kirk Market, Care Pharmacy, Digicel, Spain Consulate, Mr Fred Dallas and Partyville, and key sponsor Cayman National. 

John Gray High School has produced some excellent Spanish speakers, with two students in 2018 graduating with an outstanding Spanish award. From 2019 to 2021, three students were given this award and in 2022 this rose to six students. In 2023 more than four students received the award and in 2024 there were again six.

“It is through competitions such as these that some students find their super powers which have bolstered confidence, team spirit, improved study skills and most importantly increased knowledge and a new found love for Spanish as a second language,” she said.