Ruston Elementary Hosts Annual Spelling Bee

Students compete for top speller title at community event

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:00am

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Ruston Elementary School in Louisiana held its annual spelling bee competition, drawing students from across grade levels to test their spelling skills in front of an audience of proud parents and teachers.

Why it matters

Spelling bees are a long-standing tradition in many schools, fostering academic excellence, public speaking skills, and a sense of community. The Ruston Elementary event highlights the importance of literacy and celebrates the hard work of young students.

The details

The spelling bee featured 25 participants from 3rd through 6th grade. Students took turns spelling increasingly difficult words, with the last student standing declared the champion. The winner will now advance to the regional spelling bee competition.

  • The spelling bee took place on April 5, 2026.
  • The regional spelling bee is scheduled for May 12, 2026.

The players

Ruston Elementary School

A public elementary school serving students in Ruston, Louisiana.

Samantha Wilkins

A 5th grade student at Ruston Elementary who won the school's spelling bee.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud of all the students who participated. They've worked hard and it shows.”

— Principal Olivia Nguyen, Principal, Ruston Elementary School

“Winning the spelling bee was nerve-wracking, but I'm excited to represent my school at the regional competition.”

— Samantha Wilkins

What’s next

Samantha Wilkins will compete in the regional spelling bee on May 12, 2026, with the opportunity to advance to the state-level competition.

The takeaway

The Ruston Elementary spelling bee showcases the academic excellence and community spirit of the school, as students are encouraged to develop their spelling and public speaking skills in a supportive environment.