The 53rd Annual U.S. Virgin Islands Territorial Spelling Bee Competition took place Thursday morning at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School, bringing together the territory’s top student spellers for an intense 22-round contest showcasing academic excellence and determination.
At the end of the competition, an eighth grader from Eulalie R. Rivera PreK-8 School, Jahmir Greaux, emerged as the 2026 Territorial Spelling Bee Champion, correctly spelling the winning word “superficiality.” His win follows a family achievement, as his brother, Joseph Greaux, won the territorial title in 2024.
Seventh-grader from Free Will Baptist School, Rayan Felix, secured second place, while eighth-grader from Lockhart K-8, Ashlyn Potter, placed third.
Just missing the top three was the youngest competitor, third-grader Melaya Petersen, who placed fourth in the competition, representing the St. Thomas-St. John district.
Additional competitors included Kashyma Paul, Messiah Smith, Brendan Jackson, Raj Mirpuri, Patricia Daytic, Zawadi Bergan, Guillian Canceko, and Aisha Al-Jaloudi, all of whom demonstrated strong spelling skills and represented their schools with pride throughout the competition.
A total of 12 competitors took part in this year’s event, representing schools across the territory.
In addition to top honors, the champion earned a prize package that includes a one-year subscription to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online Dictionary, the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, along with a Longman Dictionary, a battery-powered power bank, a U.S. Virgin Islands Social Studies Civics textbook, and two round-trip tickets on Seaborne Airlines.
The champion will also receive a six-night stay for two at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, during the week of Memorial Day to represent the territory at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The trip is sponsored by The Virgin Islands Daily News.
The top three spellers were additionally awarded a Spelling Bee trophy, a Virgin Islands blanket, wireless headphones, and a $50 Amazon gift certificate.
All district spelling bee participants received a medallion and certificate of participation, along with a backpack bundle, a flash drive, a cup and mouse pad bundle, a bag and book bundle, and a Territorial Bee shirt.
Officials from the Virgin Islands Education Department praised the students for their hard work, discipline, and commitment to learning.
During her remarks, Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington emphasized that the spelling bee is about more than just spelling words correctly.
“Spelling is not just about getting words right,” she said. “It’s about understanding how language works, building confidence, and developing skills that will carry students far beyond this moment.”
She also acknowledged the vital role of parents, coaches, and educators in preparing students for the competition.
Deputy Superintendent Jessica John Baptiste delivered encouraging remarks on behalf of the Office of the Insular Superintendent, congratulating all participants for their dedication and perseverance.
“You have earned your place here through hard work, focus, and determination,” she said. “No matter the outcome, you are already winners.”
The event was made possible by numerous partners and sponsors, including the Virgin Islands Daily News, the Virgin Islands Education Department, the State Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Spyglass Capital LLC, the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Cane Bay Cares, and the St. Croix Educational Complex. Additional support was provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson Education, and Scholastic Inc.
The department also recognized the contributions of spelling bee participants and officials, as well as the parents, teachers, and coaches whose dedication helped prepare students for the competition. Special thanks were extended to the Office of the Commissioner, the Office of the Insular Superintendent, Yvette McMahon Arnold, and Nyeeba Milliner for their continued support of academic excellence in the territory.
The annual spelling bee remains one of the Education Department’s most anticipated academic events, highlighting student achievement and providing an opportunity for the territory’s top speller to advance to the national stage in Washington, D.C.
