The atmosphere was electric—and perhaps a bit tense—as 26 of Murray’s most meticulous spellers gathered last night for the annual Murray District Spelling Bee. Sponsored by the Murray PTA, the event was a masterclass in poise, memory, and linguistic skill.

After dozens of grueling rounds that saw the competition narrowed down word-by-word, three students rose to the top of the podium, proving that they are truly in a league of their own.

The 2026 Winners Circle

• First Place: Charlie Fowers (Hillcrest Jr. High)

• Second Place: Luke Boswell (McMillan Elementary)

• Third Place: Deron Francis (Hillcrest Jr. High)

These three champions survived a marathon of linguistic hurdles, outlasting their peers through a series of increasingly complex words. In addition to the hard-earned bragging rights, the winners took home a commemorative trophy and a dictionary so thick it doubles as a workout weight.

A "Buzzy" History: Did You Know?

While our local students were making history last night, they were participating in a tradition that stretches back over two centuries. Here are a few data points on how the Spelling Bee became an American staple:

• The "Bee" in the Name: The word "bee" doesn't actually refer to the insect. Historically, it comes from the Middle English word bene, meaning a "prayer" or "boon"—it eventually evolved to describe a community gathering where neighbors helped each other with a specific task (like a quilting bee or husking bee).

• The Webster Influence: Spelling bees gained massive popularity in the 1800s largely thanks to Noah Webster’s "Blue-backed Speller," first published in 1786. It was the primary textbook for five generations of American children.

• The First National Champion: The first official National Spelling Bee took place in 1925. The winner was 11-year-old Frank Neuhauser, who correctly spelled the word gladiolus to take home the gold.

• The "Murray" Connection: Local bees like ours are the backbone of the national circuit. Of the millions of students who start at the school level, only about 200 usually make it to the national stage in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to Charlie, Luke, and Deron for keeping this historic tradition alive and well in Murray!