Loop News
Jody-Ann Maxwell celebrating her Scripps Howard Spelling Bee win in 1998.
As accolades continue to pour in for Zaila Avant-garde, the first African American winner of Scripps Howard Spelling Bee Competition, many are forgetful of the fact that the first black winner of the competition was Jamaica s Jody-Anne Maxwell.
It has been 23 years since the Ardenne High alumnus won the hearts of Jamaicans when she created history on the international scene by winning the prestigious spelling competition in 1998.
Thursday s victory of the 14-year-old African American has rehashed the memories for many Jamaicans, who were also quick to point out to some Americans on social media who incorrectly rewrote history , dubbing Zaila as the first black person to win the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee, that Maxwell had already accomplished that feat.