An eleven-year-old girl has done the extraordinary! Sasha Kekeli Afianu, a Basic 6 student, has been crowned the 2025 National Junior Speller champion, defeating older and more experienced contestants in a stunning victory.

The final showdown, broadcast on JoyPrime on Sunday, December 10th, saw Sasha, representing Aggrey Memorial International School, outlast competitors from all 16 regions of Ghana. Over 100 brilliant young minds started the journey, but it was Sasha’s spelling prowess that ultimately prevailed.

The tension was palpable when Sasha was asked to spell ‘pterosaurian’ – a term for prehistoric flying reptiles – in the Championship Word round. But the young speller didn’t falter.

With remarkable composure, Sasha correctly spelled P-T-E-R-O-S-A-U-R-I-A-N. The moment was met with an explosion of joy, with Sasha breaking down in tears as her family, teachers, and schoolmates rushed to celebrate with her.

Sasha’s win is considered a significant underdog story. Competing against students three to four years her senior, she demonstrated a remarkable grasp of phonetics, etymology, and linguistic rules.

For her exceptional achievement, Sasha received a prize package worth tens of thousands of Ghana Cedis. This includes a cash prize of GH₵ 10,000, a one-week all-expenses-paid trip to China sponsored by Homii Tablet, a Homii Smart 8 Pro tablet, a Gold Medal, an Official Citation and, of course, the 2025 Championship Trophy.

But Sasha is not just a spelling bee champion; she also shines as a dancer at the Afro Star Kids Academy. Her mentors at Aggrey Memorial attribute her success to this balance of academic dedication and creative expression, enabling her “ice-cold” composure under pressure.

Mr. Sylvester Dra-Zonyrah, Sasha’s coach and a teacher at Aggrey Memorial International School, remarked, “Kekeli is a free-spirited person, and despite the fact that she is academically inclined, she does not take her studies for granted. She is always focused on tasks she sets for herself and wants to see a positive result at the end.” He added, “Throughout the preparation for every stage of the competition, she studied hard and always attended rehearsals and coaching. I believe that with God, her hard work paid off.”

Sasha’s mother, Magdalene Setordjie, expressed her gratitude: “We are grateful to God. It’s not been easy. Super proud of my daughter and pray for greater achievements. The sky is the limit. We thank the sponsors, and I urge all parents to take interest in their ward’s education as well as extracurricular activities.”

Victor Osei Nkansah, CEO of the National Junior Speller, explained the competition’s aim: “Our vision is to see a confident Ghanaian child, one who is curious and wants to learn. We want to build their confidence.” He revealed that over 20,000 children participated this year, highlighting the growing interest in literacy and academic excellence. He said champions need to master around 15,000 words.

The Born Heroes Foundation, the organizers of the National Junior Speller, are now looking to expand the competition across the African continent in the coming years. This victory for Sasha Kekeli Afianu is a testament to the potential of Ghanaian youth and the power of dedicated education.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE