By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

AN eighth grader who will graduate valedictorian from Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja on Rota won the recently concluded Regional Scripps Spelling Bee competition on Guam.
Pauline Lydia Manglona, 13, bested 69 other contestants from Guam, Palau and the CNMI.
This is the second time that Eskuelan has won the regional spelling contest. In 2005, it was the school’s then-student Dheena Elayda who won first prize.
“I believe it’s by hard work and prayer that we become successful in this endeavor,” said her coach and school principal, Sister Ma. Ascension A. Zambra.
Zambra, in an interview yesterday, thanked Pauline’s parents — Sen. Paul A. Manglona and Lydia Manglona, her close relatives and loved ones, as well as Chalan Kanoa Bishop Tomas A. Camacho, Rev. Fr. Isidoro Ogumoro, and teachers and students at the school.
“I am preparing Pauline for the national competition in Washington, D.C.,” Zambra said.
She said Pauline Manglona was among the three finalists in the championship round on Saturday.
Manglona was the last one to spell the assigned word to her.
“When the first finalist was not able to get the word ‘affidavit’ and the second failed to spell correctly the word ‘poultice,’ Pauline, after getting the word ‘eorobice’ for that round was notified that if she’d get the next word she would be declared the regional champion — she got the word ‘effulgent,’ ” Zambra said.
She added, “Pauline was also a contender in the Mathcounts competition and she practiced every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In the two weeks before the Guam competition we extended her practice from 10 am to 4 p.m. here.”
Pauline Manglona has been on the honor roll since her elementary days.
On May 13, she will graduate as her school’s top student, Zambra said.
“Pauline is a very diligent, obedient, disciplined and humble person. That’s why it’s nice to train her — we’re very proud of her,” Zambra said.
Pauline Manglona, as the Pacific region representative, will compete with over 200 other contestants from across the U.S.
“I am so happy that I have given honor to my school,” she said. “This is my 10th year as a student of this school. I thank God, my mom and dad, and coach for their support. I have studied and worked hard with my coach since September last year.”
Last year, she made it to the top 10 of the regional competition and placed fifth overall.
Her parents will accompany her to the national competition which is to take place from May 27-June 1 in Washington, D.C.