As the exclusive regional partner for western New York, SUNY Fredonia will host the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee regional competition on Saturday, March 14, in Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall.
This year marks the inaugural year for SUNY Fredonia as an official Scripps National Spelling Bee regional partner. The event, slated for 10 a.m., has been made possible with the support of the Fredonia College Foundation. Local sponsors of the event include Tops and Highmark BlueCross BlueShield. To date, student spellers from 22 western New York schools will participating in the event.
The regional spelling champion will represent WNY in the national competition in May 2026, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup in Washington, DC.
“SUNY Fredonia is approaching 200 years of preparing teachers for our state and nation. We are excited to partner with Scripps, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, to celebrate student learning and academic achievement.” - Dean Janeil Rey
“SUNY Fredonia is approaching 200 years of preparing teachers for our state and nation. We are excited to partner with Scripps, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, to celebrate student learning and academic achievement.” said Dr. Janeil Rey, who serves as Dean of the College of Education, Health Sciences, and Human Services at SUNY Fredonia. “This opportunity extends our commitment to the K-8 students and schools in our region and offers a chance to come together to celebrate perseverance, commitment, and love of language. We look forward to partnering with schools across WNY who host local bees to inspire and challenge their students.”
As of March 1, western New York schools participating include Dunkirk Intermediate School, Clarence Middle School, Depew Middle School, Hamburg Middle School; Dodge Elementary School, Heim Middle School, Maple East Elementary School, Mill Middle School, Casey Middle School and Transit Middle School, all in the Williamsburg Central School District; Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, St. Christopher School, and St. Gregory the Great School from the Diocese of Buffalo; the Park School, Pavilion Central Middle High School; Mount Morris Central School and Mount Morris Junior/Senior High School; Twelve Corners Middle School in the Brighton Central School District; Warsaw Central Middle High School, Central Christian Academy in Dunkirk, St. John Bosco School in East Rochester, NY, and Stanley G. Falk School in the Buffalo Public Schools district.
Judges for the event include Drs. David Kaplin and Judith Horowitz, Amanda Shepp, and alternate Sam Kenney. Pronouncers will be Patricia Babcock and Allison Manning. Recordkeepers include Christopher LaGrow and Katelynn Telford. Joe Dan Harper will serve as emcee for the event. Stage Managers include Max Oppedisano and Jared Reinard, and additional volunteers include Carrie Fitzgerald, Kathy Forster, Christina Hilburger, Dr. Mike Jabot, Lisa Newell, Tim Smeal, Janice Stokes and Jill Swanson.
Members of the Bee Local Organizing Committee (BLOC) include Ms. Babcock, Dr. Natalie Gerber, Debra Karpinske-Keyser, Ms. Manning, Raisa Portman, Dr. Rey, Jennifer Szymanski and Erin Zinni.
Organizers would like to also recognize Marc Levy and the SUNY Fredonia Graphic Design Club for helping behind the scenes.
About the Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. By inspiring the exploration of words, the spelling bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement and enriches communities. The Scripps National Spelling Bee is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.
