For 28 young Malaysians, it was the first time they participated in a national-level spelling competition.

Back: (From left) Bessima, Shuhaira, Fathin Nabilah, Kameelia, Fung, Amiruddin, Toh, Langet, Vikram, Chong, Liew, Kaysha-Lin, Salina Sayang and Nurul Nadiah

The experience was not only memorable but rewarding. SUZIEANA UDA NAGU, NURJEHAN MOHAMED and MOHD NOOR ASWAD report AT half past one on a Friday afternoon, the stillness at the International Youth Centre in Cheras was interrupted when a mishmash group of youngsters, with their parents and teachers in tow, filed into the lobby.

They had come from all over the country to converge on Kuala Lumpur for the big day — the RHB-New Straits Times Spell-It-Right (SIR) National Challenge at the National Museum Auditorium the next day.

Some were clearly fatigued by the journey from their hometowns, others were betrayed by the look of nervousness on their faces. If there was one trait the 28 finalists — in the primary and secondary categories — shared, it was confidence. Penang secondary school champion Fung Wei Lun was one of those who was exhausted upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur.

“I am so tired because I left Penang at 4am. Now I am alone because my parents had to rush back to beat the traffic,” said the fourth former at SMK Hamid Khan. Perlis secondary school champion Muhammad Amiruddin Ismail from SM Sains Tuanku Syed Putra, Kangar said the thought of competing against some of the best spellers in Malaysia was making him anxious.

Perak secondary school champion Shuhaira Shaidan, a Form Three student at SMK Convent Ipoh, was another finalist trying to calm her nerves. “Everyone here is so good,” she said. Although most of the finalists were strangers to each other, the ice was broken when they were split into room-mates at the centre. This was to help them get to know each other better and some immediately found they had a lot in common.

The finalists later gathered for a briefing by SIR Content Committee 2008 Chairman Rehman Rashid and Presenter-Judge Balan Moses and many used the opportunity to ask questions.

One was whether they would be asked to spell foreign or compound words.

No, replied Rehman, but added they could expect a tough fight.

“Now it is more of a test of vocabulary and those who enjoy discovering new words will do well,” he told the finalists. It was reassuring, and probably whetted their appetite for dinner. Clearly, a sense of camaraderie was developing and the pressure of competition was forgotten after dinner as everyone soaked in the excitement of watching the live telecast of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

None, however, stayed till the end of the telecast as they knew a good night's sleep was essential for D-Day. On Saturday morning, there was an air of expectancy among the waiting crowd at the National Museum Auditorium. Busloads of supporters — bringing placards emblazoned with words of encouragement — were on hand to encourage state champions Muhammad Amiruddin (Perlis), Nurul Nadiah Nordin (Pahang), Liew Ern Khai (Federal Territory) and Victor Teoh (Federal Territory).

At 9am, Rehman welcomed the audience and wished the finalists good luck.

Seven were chosen from each of the two categories to compete for the top three spots. The semi-finals and finals were held after lunch.

Some students chose to spend lunch time mulling over words that they might be asked to spell. Others buried their noses in books while some tried to unwind by teasing the NST mascots. Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein arrived just in time for the primary finals.

The audience was kept on the edge of their seats as the contenders took their turns at the microphone, spelling their way through what could be difficult words for some. Although unfamiliar with many of the words, the audience — some as young as three years old — attempted to work out the words with the contestants.

The elimination process for the first, second and third placings was swift. Only the three spellers with the most points advanced to the next level.

Spelling all their words correctly and not buckling under pressure won Year Five student Teoh from SK Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, and fifth-former Bessima Jamal from SMK Lok Yuk Likas, Kota Kinabalu, the top speller crowns.

After a round of tiebreaker words, Lim Ann Huey, Year Six pupil from SJK (C) Seng Keow, Permatang Pauh, was placed second and Kashwini Arumugam, Year Six pupil from SK (P) Methodist, Kuantan, came out third in the primary school category.

In the secondary school category, Form Two student Nurul Nadiah from SMK Bukit Rangin, Kuantan was named first runner-up while fifth-former Vikram Ramachandran from SMK King George V, Seremban, was the second runner-up. Some of the spellers looked dazed when they realised that their journey in the competition had ended. But no one shed a tear as they knew they had given it their best shot.

To the state champions, the experience of participating in the first national-level English spelling competition was more valuable than the handsome cash prizes, laptops and trophies.

As Selangor secondary school champion Andrew Chong, a fourth-former from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (2), Petaling Jaya, put it: “I can always save up the cash but money can’t buy me a spot in a national-level contest like this. It would look good on my curriculum vitae and give me an edge over other students when I’m applying for a scholarship or a job later.”