Euless Fifth Grader Named Regional Champion, Advances to National Spelling Bee

A fifth grader from Harmony School of Innovation–Euless is headed to the nation’s capital after earning the title of regional champion at the Fort Worth Regional Spelling Bee.

Ridhaan secured his advancement to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after 12 intense rounds of competition. His winning word: “corbeau,” meaning a very dark, greenish-black color.

The correct spelling earned him a spot at the national competition, scheduled for May 26–28 in Washington, D.C., where he will compete alongside top young spellers from across the country.

The regional bee featured 24 students in grades four through eight representing Fort Worth and surrounding communities. Participants navigated increasingly challenging words that tested spelling ability, knowledge of language origins and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Ridhaan said months of preparation helped him stay focused when it mattered most.

“I feel some pressure, but I trust my preparation,” he said.

His preparation included reviewing official word lists, studying language roots and reading widely to strengthen his vocabulary. When faced with unfamiliar words, he relies on identifying patterns and understanding a word’s language of origin to guide his spelling.

Educators at Harmony School of Innovation–Euless say Ridhaan’s achievement reflects both his dedication and his love of learning.

“Ridhaan actively seeks out challenges and enjoys digging deeper to understand complex problems,” said Kristin Parks, campus instructional coach. “His success reflects the strong academic culture at HSI-Euless, where students are encouraged to pursue excellence and push beyond grade-level expectations.”

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most prestigious academic competitions, drawing top student spellers from across the United States and beyond. Ridhaan will now represent Fort Worth on that national stage.

As he prepares for Washington, D.C., Ridhaan continues studying word origins and expanding his vocabulary, building on the steady preparation that carried him through the regional competition.