Scituate teen wins 3rd state spelling bee in a row

Elliana Pagliarini will represent Rhode Island in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:19pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a person's hands holding an open book, surrounded by a warm, soft glow of light, conceptually representing the focus and passion of a young spelling bee competitor.A young spelling bee champion's dedication to the craft is captured in a dreamlike, impressionistic portrait.East Providence Today

Scituate Middle School seventh grader Elliana Pagliarini has won the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year. She will once again represent the state in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place in Washington, D.C. the weekend of May 26.

Why it matters

Winning the state spelling bee three years in a row is an impressive accomplishment, showcasing Pagliarini's exceptional spelling skills and dedication to the competition. Her continued success highlights the importance of academic competitions in challenging and motivating students to excel.

The details

Pagliarini won the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee last month by correctly spelling the word 'rubbish'. She has made it to the quarterfinals during her last two national spelling bee appearances. Top competitors at the national level typically study more than 60,000 words.

  • Pagliarini won the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee in March 2026.
  • The Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place the weekend of May 26, 2026.

The players

Elliana Pagliarini

A seventh grader at Scituate Middle School who has won the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee for the past three consecutive years.

Kim Kalunian

A 12 News anchor who has been the pronouncer for the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee since 2019.

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What’s next

Pagliarini will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee the weekend of May 26, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The takeaway

Elliana Pagliarini's three-peat victory in the Rhode Island State Spelling Bee demonstrates her exceptional spelling skills and dedication to academic competition. Her continued success at the national level will inspire other students to pursue their passions and strive for excellence.