Hot Springs Student Wins Sanders County Spelling Bee

Eighth grader Keawe Ilac prevails after nearly 30 rounds of competition.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Keawe Ilac, an eighth grader from Hot Springs, won the Sanders County Spelling Bee after a grueling 30-round competition. Ilac outlasted Noxon's Daphne Gunn to claim the title, correctly spelling the word "alchemy" to clinch the victory. Khonner Phillips of Dixon took third place.

Why it matters

The Sanders County Spelling Bee is a long-standing annual event, sponsored for 39 years by the local newspaper and bank. It provides an opportunity for students from across the county to showcase their spelling skills and compete for the chance to represent Sanders County at the statewide spelling bee.

The details

Fifteen students in grades 4-8 from across Sanders County participated in the spelling bee, held at the Sanders County Courthouse. After several rounds, the competition came down to Ilac and Gunn, who went back and forth for 27 rounds before Ilac emerged victorious. Ilac, who was an alternate for his school, said he didn't study much but reads a lot. Gunn had won her class and school bees at Noxon.

  • The Sanders County Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • Ilac will represent Sanders County at the Treasure State Spelling Bee at Montana State University in Bozeman on March 21, 2026.

The players

Keawe Ilac

An eighth grader from Hot Springs who won the Sanders County Spelling Bee.

Daphne Gunn

A fifth grader from Noxon who finished as the runner-up in the Sanders County Spelling Bee.

Khonner Phillips

A student from Dixon who placed third in the Sanders County Spelling Bee.

Jeff Wheeler

The pronouncer for the Sanders County Spelling Bee.

The Sanders County Ledger

The local newspaper that has sponsored the Sanders County Spelling Bee for the past 39 years.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't study at all really, but I read a lot.”

— Keawe Ilac (The Sanders County Ledger)

“The final rounds with Gunn were nerve wracking.”

— Keawe Ilac (The Sanders County Ledger)

“I won my class and school bee at Noxon.”

— Daphne Gunn (The Sanders County Ledger)

What’s next

Ilac will represent Sanders County at the Treasure State Spelling Bee at the Montana State University campus in Bozeman on March 21, 2026. If he is unable to attend, Gunn will go in his place.

The takeaway

The Sanders County Spelling Bee is a long-standing tradition that showcases the academic excellence of students across the county. Ilac's victory demonstrates the importance of reading and academic engagement, even for students who may not have intensively studied for the competition.