Blue Valley Seventh Grader Wins Riley County Spelling Bee

Xavier Vennum correctly spelled "immune" to take the title.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Xavier Vennum, a seventh grader at Blue Valley Middle School, won the Riley County Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word "immune." This was Vennum's first county spelling bee victory. Juan Kim, a fourth grader from Amanda Arnold Elementary, finished in second place after stumbling on the word "chambray."

Why it matters

Winning the county spelling bee is an important milestone for young students, as it qualifies them to compete at the state level. The Riley County Spelling Bee is a long-standing annual event that showcases the academic talents of students across the region.

The details

Thirteen students from schools across Riley County participated in the spelling bee, which was hosted by The Manhattan Mercury. Vennum's correct spelling of "immune" earned him the first place title.

  • The spelling bee took place on Saturday.
  • Vennum will represent Riley County in the state spelling bee on March 21 in Salina.

The players

Xavier Vennum

A seventh grader at Blue Valley Middle School who won the Riley County Spelling Bee.

Juan Kim

A fourth grader at Amanda Arnold Elementary who finished in second place.

The Manhattan Mercury

The newspaper that hosted the Riley County Spelling Bee.

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What’s next

Vennum will compete in the state spelling bee on March 21 in Salina.

The takeaway

The Riley County Spelling Bee is an important academic competition that showcases the talents of students across the region. Xavier Vennum's victory demonstrates the hard work and dedication of young spellers in the community.