Spelling Bee Competition
We are proud to partner with the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF), the official state partner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, to bring the program to our community for the 2025-2026 school year. Together, we’re working to enroll schools in our region and give students the opportunity to participate in this prestigious event.
As the Mohave County coordinator(s), we will be hosting the regional qualifier, which is the final step after the school and district-level bees, to determine who will advance to the state competition. Each year, the Bee reaches millions of students across the country.
The Mohave County Spelling Bee, our area’s regional spelling bee, will take place on Friday, February 6th of 2026. The champion of our Mohave County competition will represent our area in the 2026 Arizona Spelling Bee State Finals which will take place on Saturday, March 21st, 2026. The winner of the State finals will qualify to go to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place in the Washington, D.C., area in May.
By inspiring your students to explore words, the Scripps National Spelling Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement and enriches communities. In addition to the academic benefits your students cultivate by taking part in the Bee program, they also will develop important life skills—like goal setting, work ethic and public speaking—that will help them as they advance in school and eventually to successful careers.
For a century, the Bee has provided elementary and middle school students with a unique and meaningful educational experience. Mohave County is proud to partner with the Bee and continue bringing this opportunity to your students, highlighting the importance of academic achievement in our community.
2026 Spelling Bee Competition
The Mohave County Spelling Bee winner is Lindsey Haws, who is an eighth grader at White Cliff's Middle School in Kingman. Lindsey won in the 13th round with a correct spelling of the word "impromptu" and qualifies her for the March 21st Arizona Spelling Bee in Phoenix. Mohave Accelerated Learning Center seventh grader Sravya Sunkara was second in this year's bee. Third place was a tie between Desert Willow Elementary School, fourth grader, Saarim Malik, and Masada Charter School, eight grader, Tobias Knudson.
February 6, 2026 - YouTube - Mohave County Video of Competition
2025 Spelling Bee Competition
The Mohave County Spelling Bee winner is Ethan Escobar, who is a fifth grader at Hualapai Elementary School in Kingman. He garnered the top spot this year after finishing in 8th place last year. Escobar won in the 12th round with a correct spelling of the word “gumption” and qualified for the March spelling bee in Phoenix. Thunderbolt Elementary School seventh grader Otto Supernat was second in this year’s bee with third place honors earned by Starline Elementary School sixth grader Bryson Vogel-Struve.
January 31, 2025 – YouTube – Mohave County Video of Competition
January 31, 2025 - Interview by Allen Scott of The Standard Newspaper
January 2025 - The Standard Newspaper Article Announcing Winner
January 2025 - Kingman Daily Miner Article Announcing Winner
2024 Spelling Bee Competition
2023 Mohave County Spelling Bee Competition
Ethan Knudson, 7th-grade student from Masada Charter School in Colorado City, Ariz. claimed the title of champion in Mohave County during the county-wide spelling bee. On Jan. 27 in Kingman, Knudson competed and out-spelled 24 other competitors who competed as their “school” champions. This was his third year in a row as the Masada school champion and the second year he has competed in the county contest. One year was canceled due to the pandemic.
St. George News Article - Colorado City 7th-grader spells out victory
Arizona Education Foundation Article - Top Spellers to Compete in Arizona
YouTube - Mohave County 2023 Spelling Competition
Previous Years
Videos on the Mohave County YouTube Channel