Eighth-Grader Wins San Diego County Spelling Bee

Benjamin Reinhard, 14, will represent the county at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Benjamin Reinhard, a 14-year-old eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School, won the 56th Annual San Diego County Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 5, 2026. He beat out 77 other competitors, including runner-up Alyssa Meulemans from Saint Columba Catholic School, after a 13-round face-off. Benjamin will now represent San Diego County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in late May.

Why it matters

Winning the county spelling bee is a significant achievement for Benjamin, as this was his first-ever spelling competition. His victory continues a tradition of San Diego County spellers finding success at the national level, with past winners from the region going on to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The details

Benjamin won by correctly spelling the word "kenosis," which refers to the Christian concept of voluntarily giving up one's personal rights and ambitions. He studied extensively, going through the national bee's list of 4,000 "words of the champions" and using a dedicated app. Despite not having "kenosis" on his study list, Benjamin was able to sound it out and spell it correctly.

  • The 56th Annual San Diego County Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • Benjamin Reinhard will represent San Diego County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in late May 2026.

The players

Benjamin Reinhard

A 14-year-old eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School who won the 56th Annual San Diego County Spelling Bee.

Alyssa Meulemans

An eighth-grader at Saint Columba Catholic School who was the runner-up in the San Diego County Spelling Bee and will compete at the national level if Benjamin cannot attend.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

The annual national spelling competition that Benjamin Reinhard will now represent San Diego County in.

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What they’re saying

“It feels crazy. I'm actually, like, in shock right now.”

— Benjamin Reinhard, Spelling Bee Winner (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Because I've heard that's the best way to do things.”

— Benjamin Reinhard, Spelling Bee Winner (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

Benjamin Reinhard will now prepare for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in late May 2026 by continuing to study the national bee's word list and dictionary.

The takeaway

Benjamin Reinhard's victory at the San Diego County Spelling Bee demonstrates the hard work and dedication required to succeed at the highest levels of competitive spelling. His achievement also highlights the continued excellence of spellers from the San Diego region at the national competition.