For a fourth straight year, Nikhil Ganta has been named the champion of the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Spelling Bee. Ganta, now a sixth-grade student at Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, won the 2026 title after correctly spelling ¡°panacea¡± during the competition held at the Johannsen Support Services Center Jan. 23.
Ganta and 10 fellow PSD students will move on to compete in the . The online spelling and vocabulary test will be held on Feb. 19 with the live competition following on March 7 at Sturm Hall on the University of Denver campus.
These students include:
- First Place in the PSD Bee: Nikhil Ganta, Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School
- Second place in the PSD Bee: Declan Zhou, Timnath Middle-High School
- Jack Shea, Ridgeview Classical ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
- Sophia Spink, Lesher Middle School
- Oliver Ellis, Liberty Common Junior High
- Rylen Moore, Bennett Elementary School
- Dhruti Gollamudi, Bethke Elementary School
- Eisley Wight, Blevins Middle School
- Aspen Glenn, Dunn Elementary School
- Noah Woods, Linton Elementary School
- James Campbell, Poudre Global Academy
¡°The District Spelling Bee is always something that I and many others at PSD look forward to each year. It is a joy to see students put their incredible intellect on display in impressive fashion,¡± said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. ¡°I want to congratulate each and every one of our spelling bee participants this year. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of a crowd and take part in this competition. I am proud of the dedication of our students to be the best spellers they can be!¡±