Merced Scholars Student Akshara Thummala wins Regional Scripps Spelling Bee

The top spellers from across Merced County faced off in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March 28, where Akshara Thummala from Merced Scholars Charter School emerged as the top speller and Andrea Cruz from Stone Ridge Christian earned second place.

Akshara, who secured first place with the word "untenable," will now advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. this May. Akshara also earned first place in the Merced County written spelling competition in December.
 
The regional competition, held at the UC Merced Lakireddy Auditorium, brought together students from eight different schools across Merced County, including Juniper Elementary, Burbank Elementary, Cruickshank Middle, Hoover Middle, Washington Elementary, Merced Scholars Charter School, Our Lady of Fatima and Stone Ridge Christian. 

MCOE Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Laura Andrews was the pronouncer for the competition. MCOE Events and Community Engagement Specialist Stacie Arancibia and Rishab Saha, who finished in the top seven of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee, were the competition judges

The regional competition was sponsored by UC Merced Office of Enrollment Management and Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union. Sponsorships will help cover travel and accommodations at the national competition.