Moody Middle Schooler Wins Henrico Spelling Bee

Taran Shivkumar prevails after 29 rounds against top spellers from across the county.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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After two previous runner-up finishes, eighth-grader Taran Shivkumar of Moody Middle School claimed victory at the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee. Shivkumar outlasted 16 rounds against Short Pump Middle School's Raelene Saldanha to win the title with a correct spelling of "tachycardia." Shivkumar's younger sister and mother were on hand to congratulate him after the win.

Why it matters

The annual Henrico spelling bee is a highly anticipated event that showcases the academic talents of the county's top young spellers. Shivkumar's victory marks a personal triumph after falling short in previous years, and he now advances to the regional and potentially national spelling bee competitions.

The details

Shivkumar, an eighth-grader at Moody Middle School, emerged victorious after a marathon 29-round spelling bee that came down to a 16-round duel with Raelene Saldanha, a sixth-grader from Short Pump Middle School. The two middle schoolers traded words like "novemdecillion," "candelabrum," "execrable" and "oviparous" before Shivkumar correctly spelled "tachycardia" to claim the title. Saldanha's younger brother, Rylan, a third-grader from Shady Grove Elementary, made it to the 13th round before being eliminated.

  • The 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee was held on February 5, 2026.
  • Shivkumar finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Henrico spelling bee competition.

The players

Taran Shivkumar

An eighth-grader at Moody Middle School who won the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee after finishing as the runner-up in 2024.

Raelene Saldanha

A sixth-grader at Short Pump Middle School who was the runner-up in the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee.

Rylan Saldanha

A third-grader at Shady Grove Elementary School who made it to the 13th round of the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee.

Kristi Kinsella

The Henrico School Board's Brookland District representative who presented the trophy to the spelling bee winner.

Lesley Hughes

The Henrico County Public Schools' chief learning officer who presented the trophy to the spelling bee winner.

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What they’re saying

“I was actually really, really confident today because I knew that I practiced. And with that practice, I started to get better and better, which helped me finally win.”

— Taran Shivkumar (henricocitizen.com)

“I really enjoyed her competitive nature, which is what makes competitions so enjoyable, the fact that contestants try their best.”

— Taran Shivkumar (henricocitizen.com)

“It's like a game show, and that's the most entertaining and magical part about it.”

— Taran Shivkumar (henricocitizen.com)

What’s next

Shivkumar will now represent Henrico Schools in the Richmond Raceway Regional Spelling Bee, with the goal of advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is held the week of Memorial Day and televised by ESPN.

The takeaway

Taran Shivkumar's victory at the Henrico County spelling bee after two previous runner-up finishes demonstrates the value of perseverance and hard work in academic competitions. His positive attitude and enthusiasm for the event also highlight the entertainment and excitement that these events can bring to the community.