ACA's Elizabeth Williford Wins Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee

An eighth grader from American Christian Academy snagged the 2026 title after 30 rounds of competition.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:15pm

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An eighth grader from American Christian Academy, Elizabeth Williford, won the 2026 Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee after 30 rounds of competition. Williford correctly spelled 'plywood' to claim the title during the countywide competition held at Chapel Hill Baptist Church.

Why it matters

The Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee is an annual youth-focused initiative sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa. The winner of the county competition will advance to the Alabama State Spelling Bee, with the state champion moving on to compete in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The details

The annual Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee featured 23 students representing local elementary and middle schools. Williford will now advance to the Alabama State Spelling Bee, set for March 22 in Birmingham and hosted by the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation. Hosanna Tsehaye, a sixth grader at Northridge Middle School, finished as the runner-up.

  • The Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee was held on February 5, 2026.
  • The Alabama State Spelling Bee is set for March 22, 2026 in Birmingham.

The players

Elizabeth Williford

An eighth grader from American Christian Academy who won the 2026 Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee.

Hosanna Tsehaye

A sixth grader at Northridge Middle School who finished as the runner-up in the 2026 Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee.

Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa

The organization that sponsors the annual Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee as part of their youth-focused initiatives.

Alabama Kiwanis Foundation

The organization hosting the Alabama State Spelling Bee where the Tuscaloosa County champion will compete.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

The prestigious national spelling competition that the Alabama State Spelling Bee champion will advance to.

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What’s next

The winner of the Alabama State Spelling Bee on March 22, 2026 will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer.

The takeaway

The Tuscaloosa County Spelling Bee provides a valuable opportunity for local students to showcase their spelling skills and potentially advance to prestigious national competitions. The event's long-running sponsorship by the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa underscores the organization's commitment to supporting youth in the community.