Third Time is the Charm for Connor Bevan in Tennessee

On his third try in a regional bee, Connor Bevan ended the West Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee the way he hoped — as champion. The Lakewood Middle School student took deep breaths to calm his nerves before each word including his winning one, "pilferage." The regional competition in Jackson, Tennessee, is sponsored by Union University,

Photo credit: Morgan Timms, The Jackson Sun

Winston Zuo Repeats as Orange Co., CA Winner

It was a head-to-head battle for 21 rounds before eighth-grader ​Winston Zuo claimed the 55th annual Orange County Spelling Bee title in California. With it, the Fairmont Private Schools student will return to the national finals for the second time. He spelled "teff" correctly and after the competition said, “It’s a really euphoric feeling.” 

Photo credit: Orange County Department of Education

Snehal Choudhury Thrilled by Spelling

Snehal Choudhury, an eighth-grader from Jackson Memorial Middle School in Massillon, Ohio, won the 72nd Canton Repository Regional Bee with "sociable." She described the feeling that probably resonates with many spellers — “I was nervous because I didn’t know what word I was going to get, but you get this thrill just doing it.”

Photo credit: Julie Vennitti, Canton Repository

Sukesh Kamesh Achieves Goal of Winning

Since the third grade, Sukesh Kamesh was a familiar face at the Sunflower Spelling Bee in Wichita, Kansas, until last year when he didn't qualify. That was the motivation he needed to set a new goal for winning the regional bee in 2018. The seventh-grader from Kingman Elementary/Middle School did just that when he spelled "carboniferous" in a 27-round match. 

Photo credit: Kayley Conner, The Hays Daily News

Jake Gordy Celebrates Maryland Win

Jake Gordy, a seventh-grader at Somerset Intermediate School in Westover, Maryland, lasted through 26 rounds of words to finally win with "morality" at the Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee. He placed third last year and was motivated to study to get another chance at winning. His mom said he's a voracious reader. 

Photo credit: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 
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