Alachua County Student Wins Third Straight Spelling Bee Championship

Cooper Campen becomes first in county history to claim title three years in a row

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Cooper Campen, a homeschooled student from Alachua County, Florida, has won the 2026 Alachua County Spelling Bee, becoming the first student in county history to claim the championship three consecutive years. Campen outlasted a field of top student spellers from across the county in an intense 38-round competition, securing the historic 'three-peat' by correctly spelling the final word, 'calabash'.

Why it matters

The Alachua County Spelling Bee is a prestigious academic competition that showcases student achievement across the county's diverse school communities. Campen's record-setting three-peat victory highlights his exceptional spelling skills and dedication, and will earn him a spot to represent the county at the upcoming regional and potentially national spelling bee competitions.

The details

Campen earned the title after a lengthy final stretch that featured multiple high-pressure rounds between him and second-place finisher Isabella Mendoza of the Frazer School. As the county champion, Campen will advance to the 82nd Annual First Coast Regional Spelling Bee in Jacksonville on February 27, 2026, with the chance to move on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, regarded as the nation's premier spelling competition.

  • Cooper Campen previously won the Alachua County Spelling Bee in 2024 and 2025.
  • The 2026 Alachua County Spelling Bee took place in February 2026.
  • The 82nd Annual First Coast Regional Spelling Bee is scheduled for February 27, 2026.

The players

Cooper Campen

A homeschooled student from Alachua County, Florida, who has won the Alachua County Spelling Bee three years in a row, becoming the first student in county history to achieve this feat.

Isabella Mendoza

A student at the Frazer School who finished in second place at the 2026 Alachua County Spelling Bee after a lengthy final stretch against Campen.

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What’s next

As the county champion, Campen will advance to the 82nd Annual First Coast Regional Spelling Bee in Jacksonville on February 27, 2026. The winner of the regional spelling bee will move on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, regarded as the nation's premier spelling competition.

The takeaway

Cooper Campen's historic three-peat victory in the Alachua County Spelling Bee showcases his exceptional academic abilities and dedication, and will provide him with the opportunity to represent his community at the prestigious regional and national spelling bee competitions.