Isabelle Garcia, an 8th grade student at Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School is the District Spelling Bee Champion for the second year in a row, with three other students advancing with her to the county spelling bee.

Top spellers from across Kyrene competed at the Kyrene School District Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 16, at Kyrene Altadeña Middle School, a district release explained. After 108 words spelled during seven rounds of intense competition, Garcia correctly spelled the championship word saeta to clinch the title once more.

In the seventh and final round, Garcia spelled “rupicolous” correctly, followed by the anticipated championship word. It was a great night of sportsmanship, with spellers providing supportive high fives for a job well done when other students were eliminated, according to the release.

In second place was Kateri Peterson, a 7th grade student at Kyrene Altadeña Middle School and third place had two students tied. All four spellers will advance to the Maricopa County Regional Bee in February. 

Kyrene’s top four outstanding spellers who will compete next month are:

• Isabelle Garcia (grade 8), Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School
• Kateri Peterson (grade 7), Kyrene Altadeña Middle School
• Bree Crusoe (grade 6), Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy
• Alejandro Santhanam (grade 5), Kyrene de los Lagos Dual Language Academy

A total of 27 Kyrene spellers competed in the bee after winning their individual school spelling bees. Kyrene congratulates all 27 spellers who participated and wishes the students advancing to the regional bee, the release stated.

The Maricopa County Regional Bee will take place on Feb. 15, at Franklin Accelerated Academy/Brimhall in Mesa. The top two spellers from the regional bee will continue to the Arizona State Spelling Bee where they will compete for a spot at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee.