Champ

Kellian Peterson of Ottawa County brought home the trophy by winning the Sunflower State Spelling Bee Saturday, hosted by Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. The competition involved 93 spellers from across the state, and lasted 10 rounds. Peterson advances to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., over the summer. Allen County spelling champion Brynna Jelinek finished in a tie for eighth. The state bee is sponsored by the Kansas Press Association.