Fourth grader Zelda Fogle was named South Whitley Elementary School Spelling Bee Champion Wednesday, December 17, correctly spelling “brandished” and “anguish” in the championship round of contesting to take the 2026 title.

Thirteen fourth and fifth graders began the competition. Ten demanding words got the better of the hopeful within the first two rounds, leaving three in the spell fight.

Fourth grader Zoie Koons, scenting possible victory from her third place position, wafted away with a misrepresentation of “perfume” in round 3. 

Runner up Sebastian Jones didn’t make Fogle’s journey to the top an easy one as the fourth graders began an epic six round spell down.

In the first championship round, round four, Jones missed “hypnosis,” Fogle got “tuxedo” and missed “lurches.” In round 5 Jones got “gusto” and Fogle put up “prognosis.” In rounds six, seven and eight both tripped over their offerings: Jones with “gleaned,” “winsome,” and “galore” and Fogle with “sequins,” “fabulous,” and “fluently.” In the ultimate ninth round Jones was given “atrium,” which he found precarious, and Fogle correctly ordered the letters for “brandished” and “anguish.” 

Fogle advances to the NE Indiana Regional Qualifier for the Scripps Spelling Bee, which includes an online testing platform to advance to the Regional Bee.