KUCHING: Nine-year-old Maia Fatih Leong emerged as the Sarawak winner for the RHB-New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge for primary schools category this year.
The first timer nailed the word “flagitious” and walked away with RM2,000, and will represent the state in the national challenge in October in Kuala Lumpur.
The primary three pupil of St Joseph Private School here said she did not expect to win as she only prepared a week before the competition.
“It is my first time and I did not expect to win the challenge. I only started to prepare myself a week before the competition," said Maia.
Primary six Josephine Jane from SK St Teresa won second place and brought home RM1,500 after she got the word “biotechnology” correct.
“I was nervous while spelling out the words because some are hard to spell but despite all that, I cannot believe that I won second place.
“All thanks to my parents and teachers who taught and supported me all these while,” said the twelve-year-old.
Meanwhile, the word “behemoth” landed primary five Leonard Bijak Roland Sagah from SK Green Road, third place and received RM1,000.
Media Prima Group Corporate Governance Department senior executive Wan Mohd Azim Wan Long and RHB Bank Berhad Sarawak region, regional sales and assets head Edwin Tutong presented the prizes to the winners.
A total of 98 pupils from 17 primary schools across the state participated in today's challenge.