San Diego County crowns 2026 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee champion, advancing to national competition in May

Countywide title decided after 23 rounds at San Diego venue

San Diego County’s 2026 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee concluded March 5 with an eighth-grade student from Maranatha Christian School earning the county championship and a place in the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Benjamin Reinhard won after correctly spelling “kenosis,” finishing atop a field of 78 middle school competitors. The county competition ran 23 rounds, with students advancing and being eliminated word by word in the traditional oral format.

A competition built on preparation — and pressure

The regional bee brought together qualifying students from across the county. Participants and parents described the event as both celebratory and tense, reflecting the high-stakes nature of a single-elimination spelling format in which one error can end a run.

“Amazing. I really didn't expect to get this far, honestly,” Reinhard said after the win, adding that he viewed the field as strongly prepared.

Parents also highlighted the time commitment involved, describing long preparation routines supported by families. The county event’s structure and pace—spanning dozens of rounds—requires competitors to sustain concentration over an extended period while navigating unfamiliar word origins and pronunciations.

How the San Diego County bee fits into the national pipeline

The San Diego County program is open to students in grades 6 through 8 across public, charter, independent, private, and eligible homeschool programs. The county champion advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which draws winners from regional partners nationwide.

The 2026 San Diego County competition was hosted by 10News in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and held at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego.

Next stop: Washington, D.C., for the 2026 national finals

Reinhard is scheduled to compete at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., where the national competition is set for May 26–28. The national event brings together regional champions for multiple days of spelling and vocabulary rounds that culminate in a final championship session.

Key facts at a glance

• Winner: Benjamin Reinhard, 8th grade, Maranatha Christian School
• Winning word: “kenosis”
• Field size: 78 middle school spellers
• Length: 23 rounds
• Local event date and venue: March 5, 2026, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA (San Diego)
• National finals dates and location: May 26–28, 2026, Washington, D.C.