7 D202 Students Headed To Will County Regional Spelling Bee

The middle schoolers won their school bees and will compete at the regional competition in March.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Seven middle school students from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 in Illinois have qualified for the 2026 Will County Regional Spelling Bee after winning their individual school spelling bees. The regional competition will be held on March 17 at Lincoln-Way West High School, and the winners will advance to the national Spelling Bee on May 28 in Maryland.

Why it matters

The annual spelling bee competitions provide an opportunity for students to showcase their academic skills and compete at higher levels. Advancing to the regional and national bees is a significant achievement that can boost a student's confidence and recognition within their school and community.

The details

The seven D202 students who qualified for the regional spelling bee are: Gian Avila (7th grade, Aux Sable), George Picard (7th grade, Drauden Point), Andrew Molina (6th grade, Heritage Grove), Paul-Ryan Dogo (7th grade, Indian Trail), Durrat-us-Sharaf Zaki (8th grade, Ira Jones), Yousuf Awan (8th grade, John F. Kennedy), and Aisha Chavda (7th grade, Timber Ridge).

  • The 2026 Will County Regional Spelling Bee will be held on March 17 at Lincoln-Way West High School.
  • The national Spelling Bee is scheduled for May 28 in Maryland.

The players

Gian Avila

A 7th grade student at Aux Sable Middle School who won the school's spelling bee.

George Picard

A 7th grade student at Drauden Point Middle School who won the school's spelling bee.

Andrew Molina

A 6th grade student at Heritage Grove Middle School who won the school's spelling bee.

Paul-Ryan Dogo

A 7th grade student at Indian Trail Middle School who won the school's spelling bee.

Durrat-us-Sharaf Zaki

An 8th grade student at Ira Jones Middle School who won the school's spelling bee.

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What’s next

If the D202 students win the Will County Regional Spelling Bee, they will advance to the national Spelling Bee on May 28 in Maryland.

The takeaway

The annual spelling bee competitions provide an important platform for middle school students to showcase their academic skills and compete at higher levels. Advancing to the regional and national bees is a significant achievement that can boost a student's confidence and recognition within their school and community.