Shanda Francis grabs second runner up in OECS Reading Competition

Shanda Francis in action during the finals of the DBS Reading Competition
Shanda Francis in action during the finals of the DBS Reading Competition

Nine-year-old Shandra Francis, representing Dominica, has captured second runner up position in the OECS Reading Competition in St. Lucia.

The results were announced moments ago

She takes home $2,000, a trophy, a laptop and other prices.

Shanda, from the Kalinago Territory, is a student of the Lighthouse Christian Academy located in Atkinson.

In July she won the DBS Reading Competition held here in Dominica.

The representative from Grenada won first place.

Six students from across the region took part in the competition.

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33 Comments

  1. Teacher
    November 3, 2013

    Congratulations Shanda……………..we are so excited for you and your school. Remain focused!

  2. Enuff
    November 2, 2013

    Dno is it second place or second runner up

  3. valda Bruno Durand
    November 2, 2013

    oh spectacular, keep up the good work my dear

  4. proud mom
    November 2, 2013

    Special thanks to all who supported us one way or the other through out this competition.Congrats again to u my baby girl. You have made your entire family,school and nation proud. What I must add tho is that I was very disappointed when we found out that eye contact was part of the judging criteria minutes before the competition started. My word to the organizers is that you bring all that is required to the attention of the teachers/parents so that we could train our children properly and get them ready to compete. Had shanda train doing eye contact I kno for a fact she would have placed higher!

  5. East coast
    November 2, 2013

    Congratulations to you and big up to the Bataca massive..keep up the good work…great job!!!

  6. Anonymous
    November 1, 2013

    Shanda you have done well reaching thus far, remain focus. I really don’t know what the judges were looking for. Was it eye contact. Big men in high positions don’t have eye contact most of them when they addresses crowds or audiences. These are young children our islands future leaders. Don’t press them. They have done very well. Shanda was focus. Darling you have made your kalinago people and your teacher proud. keep up the good works Mrs Challenger. Your school is a winner and will always be in the top positions at all times. Lighthouse has qualified and quality teachers.
    Shanda, congrats.

  7. gwaj
    November 1, 2013

    Congrats! I am proud of you girly!

  8. Hasta la Victoria
    November 1, 2013

    Congrats. DNO doesn’t know the difference between second runner up and second place?

  9. hope
    November 1, 2013

    Bravo! We really are a people of greatness. :lol: wonderful achievement young lady.

  10. DJ Ashton
    November 1, 2013

    Nice work. I watched you online. Good job. Keep up with your reading. Congrats to the teachers also. Greetings from Tampa FL.

  11. kalinago
    November 1, 2013

    congrats to you my kalinago sister. DNO Do you have any link that one could get in touch with the organizers of the reading competition? Have a small business proposal in relation to the reading competition. thx

    • MUDD
      November 1, 2013

      You could contact DBS radio (448-3282)or Courts Dominica. Thats the best i can give.

  12. Dominican By Birth
    November 1, 2013

    Congratulation to you keep up the good work and remain committed.

  13. ti nom
    November 1, 2013

    proud to see future dominicans like this

  14. Development
    October 31, 2013

    congrats little ambassador. if only more parents would help their children with reading.

  15. Looking in
    October 31, 2013

    Great job young lady, well done. Keep reaching for the sky. Parents and teachers, please continue to encourage then when they are so young. Congrats to all.

  16. FIRE........FIRE....
    October 31, 2013

    Nice when kids make their mamma smile…congratulations…

  17. I KNOW
    October 31, 2013

    You have done well young lady. I believe you are an excellent reader and your future looks bright. Congratulations to you, your family and the entire country which you have made so proud. God bless you.

  18. Errol Hyson
    October 31, 2013

    I could not read as well as you did, when I was your age and I still think now, because of my old age and failing sight, you read better than I do, especially in a crowded room knowing that people all over the world was listening to me. (I’m in Canada).
    Congratulations little Lady. I wish you the best in all your future endeavours.

  19. Anonymous
    October 31, 2013

    She should have won the competition, is it because the winner was the only male participating. What were the judges looking and listening for? Shanda was excellent! When will judges learn to judge competitions fairly? My goodness!

    • Merv
      November 1, 2013

      I agree with you, the judges did not do a good job, that boy did not presented himself well, the reason he won, is just because he was the only boy and what he said at the end of his news reporting, he did not deserve to be the winner

  20. "O" STRESS"
    October 31, 2013

    Congratulations to the future. Way to go young lady.

  21. Oh yes
    October 31, 2013

    Congratulations to you.

  22. Anonymous
    October 31, 2013

    Still think she should have been placed higher. I really don’t know what the judges were looking at cause this little boy was not pronouncing his words right. Congratulations goes out to her though for making it this far. The sky is the limit.

    • Allicock
      November 1, 2013

      He definitely was not pronouncing clearly and he was not very articulate. To me he sounded like he had some hot food in his mouth as he was speaking. I thought Shanda would have placed higher. However, as an adult, the judges’ decision is final.

  23. real possie
    October 31, 2013

    Wow the future look bright.

  24. The Onlooker
    October 31, 2013

    Wow! Shanda way to go! keep up the good work. Congratulations to all behind the scene :!:

  25. love
    October 31, 2013

    well done Shandra continue to work hard reach for the stars.

  26. Matriculation
    October 31, 2013

    Congrats Shadra! Please keep it up. Kudos to Light House Christian Academy as well. For a tiny rural school, they produce a high percentage of brilliant pupils, they seem to have a winning formula, hope the other schools try to learn a thing or two from their methods.

    • zon machaste oui
      October 31, 2013

      Where is lighthouse located?

      • BRAIN DAMAGE
        October 31, 2013

        Good question. Read the third paragraph again.

  27. DA Soil
    October 31, 2013

    Hurray, congrats Shandra. I listened from USA. As a former principal in DA , I am proud of you.

  28. #speakingmymind#
    October 31, 2013

    Congrats…you go girl

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