If you cannot spell seismograph or subcutaneous, then spare a thought for the SpellDown semifinalists.

Youngsters in the fourth annual spelling competition have had to memorise 350 words in their bid to become the best in Bermuda.

With a family cruise for four to Disney World and a laptop up for grabs, the competition is getting fierce. But yesterday, students took time out to celebrate their success with a bit of camaraderie on a day trip to historic St. George's.

Bermuda College, which is hosting the contest, organised the event for 23 children from across the Island. The students met at City Hall, Hamilton, where Mayor Sutherland Madeiros and SpellDown mascot Kool Kat wished them luck in the competition. They then travelled to Ordnance Island for an educational tour of the Old Town by train, followed by lunch at Mulligans restaurant.

Evelyn James Barnet, director of communications at Bermuda College, said: "This is an outing for all the semifinalists that serves a two-fold purpose. It celebrates their achievement on being selected by their respective schools, even if they don't get further in the competition, and it also allows the children to form a camaraderie with each other so that facing one another in the ZoneDowns is less tense and nerve-wracking."

The children are the winners of individual spelling contests held at 23 public and private schools. Ten students will now take part in the Western ZoneDown at Dalton E. Tucker Primary School on Tuesday, while six pupils will compete at the Central ZoneDown at Saltus Grammar School on Wednesday, and seven schools will fight it out at the Eastern ZoneDown at Harrington Sound Primary School on Thursday.

The semi-final winners will receive pedal cycles and Phoenix store gift certificates.

The final SpellDown, on Saturday, February 2, will then feature the top three spellers in each ZoneDown, with nine finalists battling it out at Mount Saint Agnes auditorium. The top prize consists of the Disney cruise, a personal laptop, and office equipment for the winning school, while the runner-up will receive a laptop and iPod.

Mrs. James Barnett said: "SpellDown is a result of the outreach from Bermuda College to primary schools, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. It has been very generously supported by the business community."

This newspaper is among the sponsors.

Yesterday the semifinalists described how important it was for youngsters to improve their spelling skills.

Ten-year-old Jordan Bascome, a pupil at West End Primary School, said: "The competition is challenging. It was great to know I'm one of the top spellers at my school. I think it's important for children to know more words so when they're older they can be a good writer, and knowing how to spell helps all of their education."

Nine-year-old Charmaine Lambe, of Dalton E. Tucker Primary School, added: "It's a tough competition but I'm enjoying it. It's good for people to learn how to spell so they can know a lot more words."