Berkmar Middle student named the 2026 GCPS Spelling Bee Champion

     C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S to Cayden Liang for being named the 2026 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Spelling Bee Champion. The Berkmar Middle School student rose to the top after an impressive display of poise and skill. Aarav Santhosh, student at Roberts Elementary School, finished strong and is this year’s talented runner‑up.

     Cayden and Aarav are among hundreds of students from all corners of Gwinnett County who began their spelling bee journey in January, when each school held its own competition to select a winner who would advance to the county level. Before reaching the district Bee, school champions completed an online regional qualifying round, narrowing the field to approximately 20 students.

     This year’s district competition—facilitated by Trip Elementary Assistant Principal Latasha Boynton—was held at Grayson High School. “The Spelling Bee brings together students, families, and schools across the district in a celebration of academic excellence. It highlights student dedication, vocabulary development, and perseverance,” Boynton shares. “For many students, this is their first opportunity to participate in a districtwide academic competition, and it builds confidence, pride, and a sense of accomplishment for the entire school community. I truly love this for our students.”

     Students prepared for each level of competition using the official Words of the Champions lists from the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and school‑level winners registered their results through the Scripps platform. As the district champion, Cayden received a trophy and will advance to the regional round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. All district participants received certificates and GCPS Spelling Bee T‑shirts to honor their commitment and hard work.

     “Strong spelling skills are directly connected to reading, writing, and overall language development,” Boynton continues. “Encouraging students to become great spellers strengthens their vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills, which supports success across all academic areas. It also promotes discipline, study habits, and a love for learning words and language.”

     The event’s success was made possible through Boynton’s hard work and the collaboration of pronouncers, judges, spotters, a host, School Resource Officers (SROs), and media support staff. Representatives from the Georgia Association of Educators—the sponsor of the regional competition—were also in attendance, reflecting the strong support and teamwork that define GCPS.

Please view the slideshow below for scenes from this year's competition.