Kinley Pickett Wins 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee

Seventh-grader from Southside Junior High School will advance to state competition.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Seventh-grader Kinley Pickett from Southside Junior High School won the 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee, outlasting 17 other competitors from eight area schools. The competition lasted 15 rounds, with Pickett correctly spelling the winning word 'contraband.' Pickett will now advance to the Arkansas State Spelling Bee in Little Rock on March 7, 2026.

Why it matters

The annual Independence County Spelling Bee is a long-standing community event that celebrates academic achievement and provides a pathway for local students to compete at the state level. Winning the county bee is an important milestone that can lead to further success and recognition.

The details

The spelling bee was sponsored by Citizens Bank and hosted by the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. A total of 18 competitors from third to eighth grade at area schools participated in the event, which was held at Independence Hall. Abel Minor, a sixth-grader from Batesville Junior High School Charter, was the runner-up.

  • The 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Arkansas State Spelling Bee that Kinley Pickett qualified for will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Kinley Pickett

A seventh-grade student at Southside Junior High School and the winner of the 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee.

Abel Minor

A sixth-grade student at Batesville Junior High School Charter and the runner-up in the 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee.

Citizens Bank

The sponsor of the Independence County Spelling Bee, providing gift cards and trophies for the winners.

University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB)

The host of the 2026 Independence County Spelling Bee, which was held in Independence Hall on their campus.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Kinley Pickett will compete in the Arkansas State Spelling Bee in Little Rock on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The Independence County Spelling Bee is a longstanding tradition that celebrates academic excellence and provides a pathway for local students to compete at the state level. Kinley Pickett's victory demonstrates the hard work and dedication of students in the community.