The Will County Regional Office of Education announced Kingston McGhee, a 6th grader from Crete-Monee Middle School, as the 2026 Will County Regional Champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. McGhee secured first place after 14 rounds of competition, correctly spelling the winning word “blastema.”
The regional competition took place on March 17, 2026, at Lincoln-Way West High School, bringing together top student spellers from across Will County.
Second place honors went to Julia Yanchick, an 8th grader from Washington Junior High School, while third place was awarded to Matthew Cline, a 7th grader from Liberty Junior High School.
Participants prepared for the competition using Words of Champions, the official 4,000-word study guide provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The event featured Mrs. Sheri Schubbe as pronouncer, with judging conducted by Mrs. Chelsea Bowen, Dr. Heather Siegel-Hickman, and Ms. Malenie Short.
As regional champion, McGhee will advance to compete in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The semifinals, scheduled for May 27, and finals on May 28, will be televised on ION Television and held at DAR Constitution Hall. In addition to qualifying for the national stage, McGhee earned a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium and Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online.
“The spelling bee represents so much more than memorization. It showcases perseverance, confidence, and a passion for learning,”said Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff. “We are incredibly proud of all of our participants, whose dedication and courage to compete exemplify the very best of Will County students.”
The Will County Regional Office of Education has sponsored the regional spelling bee for more than 25 years. According to Caparelli-Ruff, “The competition promotes a love of language and lifelong curiosity, while encouraging students to set goals, dedicate time to preparation, and develop public speaking skills and poise under pressure.”
