Jamaica Abuzz Over Spelling-Bee Ban -- Bias Charged, But Officials Say Nation Refused To Follow Rules

Jamaica has been b-a-n-n-e-d from this year's national spelling bee. And natives of the island nation - home of 12-year-old reigning champ Jody-Anne Maxwell, the contest's first foreign winner - are hopping mad.

"For 71 years, you have had Americans win this competition, and then suddenly a tiny Third World country produces a champion speller," said Karen Thomson, spokeswoman for the sponsor of Jamaica's spurned 1999 spellers.

"I think that has been a problem for (contest organizer) Scripps Howard, and they have subsequently revoked the country's entry for this year," Thomson said.

Jamaicans across the country also cried foul, and even the Rev. Jesse Jackson's group has protested.

"I think it is sour grapes because a Jamaican won," said Jamaican-born Brooklyn City Councilwoman Una Clarke. "We see this as an affront to us, to our integrity and our ability."

Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition wrote a letter to bee officials, saying they are effectively excluding young spellers of African descent.

Spelling-bee officials deny singling out Jamaica, saying the team's sponsor did not follow the rules.

Jamaica was disqualified when bee officials, concerned that some contestants were getting extra time to study, made a new rule: Contestants for the May 1999 competition must be chosen in a local contest held no earlier than Feb. 1.

But Jamaica held its spelling bee as usual in August. So Scripps Howard disqualified the sponsor, Phillips & Phillips Stationery Supplies, from sending spellers to this year's U.S. competition, which is open to English speakers of all nations.

They say they didn't want the Jamaican kids to have five extra months to prepare.

"It is our intent to create as even a playing field as possible for these students," said bee director Paige Kimble. "I want to emphasize the rule changes were announced three days before the national finals took place and is not a reaction to Jody-Anne's richly deserved win."

The 1998 champ, who wowed the audience with her winsome smile, said she was upset by the dispute. "I really am disappointed," said Jody-Anne. "But I guess it's their contest, so they can change the rules."