Congratulations to the 2025 Countywide Spelling Bee winners!
1st place - Del Luceti, Preston Elementary
2nd place - Katherine Felipe Cabrera, Greensboro Elementary
3rd place - Layla Navarro Galina, Federalsburg Elementary
It was a nail-biting, leg-jiggling evening as the annual Spelling Bee got underway at the Caroline County Public Library. The competition began with seemingly simple words like spill and smile — easy enough, unless you’re spelling them in front of a room full of adults, including teachers and principals.
It took four full rounds before students started to be eliminated, proving just how talented this group was. As the rounds continued, the words grew more challenging. Words like asparagus, humanity, asphalt, peninsula, and pollutant had even the adults in the audience thinking hard.
By the ninth round, the experienced judging panel announced that while first and second place were still in contention, several students eliminated in that round would now qualify for third place. None of the students were easily defeated, but Federalsburg Elementary’s Layla Navarro Galinda ultimately claimed the third-place spot.
In a tense final showdown, Del and Greensboro Elementary’s Katherine Felipe Cabrera faced off through several tough words. In the end, Del secured first place, with Katherine taking a well-earned second.
Prior to the countywide event, each elementary school conducted their own spelling bee. The first, second, and third place winners were then eligible to complete in the countywide contest. Each school also designated their fourth place winner as an alternate if needed.
The event is now in its 48th year and sponsored by the organization Teachers Can Help (TCH). Each participant in the competition was the first, second, or third place winner of Spelling Bees held in their respective schools. Countywide winners received cash awards of $75 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. The first place winner also receives the county Spelling Bee plaque to be displayed in their school for the year.
Other participants were:
Denton Elementary - Kellan Millard, Alena Griggs, Jade Gordan; Alternate Andres Parr
Federalsburg Elementary - Layla Navarro Galindo, Jai'lynn Ennals, Anaiis Nunes-Simms
Greensboro - Katherine Felipe Cabrera,
Piper Holt,
Leslie Bravo Velasquez;
Alternate Chelsea Becker
Preston Elementary - Delano Luceti, Kennedy Tucker, Rebecca Blackwell; Alternate Lucas Steenken
Ridgely Elementary - Nasir Batson, Aubree Turner, Addison Lord; Alternate Ryan Duerstine
All event photos available on the Caroline Flickr page.