Manado Independent School (MIS) proudly celebrates the extraordinary achievements of three of its students—Merrilyn Vallerie Tandouw (8th grade), Morelia Theresa Polii (7th grade), and Joshua Ryan Jedidiah Ganda (4th grade)—in the Spelling Bee competition organized by English First Kids & Teens, Manado Region, held from November 8-10, 2024. The students’ impressive English language skills showcased MIS’s excellence in this prestigious event.
Out of 311 registered participants, 12 winners were announced, with MIS dominating the competition by securing three of the top spots. Representing MIS Middle School, two talented female students competed in Group D. Merrilyn Tandouw won 1st place, and Morelia Polii secured 3rd place. Meanwhile, Joshua Ganda, representing MIS Elementary in Group B, also achieved 1st place.
Competing against participants from various schools across the Manado region, Merrilyn, Morelia, and Joshua demonstrated exceptional English proficiency. With calmness and confidence, they consistently spelled words correctly, leading them to victory. Their success was a testament to the strength of the MIS learning curriculum. Joshua, the youngest among the three, expressed his gratitude for the experience: “This competition not only expanded my vocabulary but also boosted my confidence in public speaking. I hope to achieve even more in the future,” said Joshua.
MIS integrates the Oxford, Cambridge, and Abeka curricula, helping students build strong English literacy skills from an early age. With highly qualified, internationally certified teachers, MIS offers programs that encourage active class participation through discussions, educational games, and group projects. These activities help students develop the courage to excel in public forums.
“Learning that my students won the spelling bee fills me with immense pride,” said Ma’am Juvilyn Anito, an English teacher at MIS. “I hope they continue to believe in themselves, stay eager to learn, and inspire others to aim high. You’ve made me and our school proud. Keep up the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious work!” This regional spelling bee competition adds to MIS’s growing list of accomplishments and highlights its students’ ability to compete on an international stage.
