inaugural spelling bee on Saturday night.

Ten-year-old Murricea won a personal computer after spelling the word "associate'' to take the gold medal in the primary school section.

The heated contest involved 49 competitors and reserves from primary and middle schools with separate sections for each.

Finalists from 15 Government primary schools and four middle schools faced each other in the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium at CedarBridge Academy to vie for the national title.

The suspense was palpable in the event -- organised by the Continental Society -- who regularly carry out fund raising projects to help local children.

And all of the students who made it to Saturday night's spell-off were champions in their own right since they had won heats at their own schools during the weeks leading up to Saturday's grand final.

Murricea's win of the Primary School section was a close call after Purvis Primary School student Rebekha Simons proved a very worthy competitor.

But eventually Murricea edged ahead and Rebekha took home the second prize silver trophy and $100 for her efforts.

Sandys Secondary student Adrian Fiddes, 11, was the Middle School winner and also won a personal computer after spelling the word "variable''.

In that section, Asha Ratteray of Whitney Institute and Estina Francis of the Spice Valley Middle School tied for second.