The Program

Sacramento Regional Competition and Scripps National Spelling Bee Qualifiers: The 3rd Annual Capital Spelling Bee and 1st Annual SCUSD Community Schools Spelling Bee

​The Terrell Christopher Gladney (TCG) Memorial Academy is hosting the annual Capital Spelling Bee, a showdown pitting The Sacramento Region's top 40 spellers from across 15 counties in a spectacle of spelling sport!

The Capital Spelling Bee Champion advances to represent the Sacramento Region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Spelling Bees are a great American tradition that help students improve oral and written literacy skills and build self-confidence.

History

2026 is TCG's third year as the Sacramento Regional Partner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, filling a gap left with the departure of longtime sponsor The Sacramento Bee, and subsequent sponsor Sacramento Public Library.

The adoption of the regional spelling bee by TCG Memorial Academy ensures the Sacramento Region will have a representative at the Scripps National Bee. In the recent years with no sponsor, Sacramento region spellers competed in a pool of spellers from 4 states for 2 spots at the National Bee.

2024 saw Nithika Rangan return to the National Spelling Bee after a 4-year absence, having advanced as a third grader.

2025 sent two spellers to our nation's capital, with Capital Bee Champion Ryan Sekera advancing to the semifinals and finishing tied for 41st, and Capital Bee Co-Champion Shruthi Srinivasian advancing to the quarterfinals, finishing tied for 74th out of the 243 contestants.

The Process

3rd Annual Capital Spelling Bee, March 14, 2026

Location: Sacramento Youth Center, 1901 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA

2 Spellers Advance to 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

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1st Annual SCUSD Community Schools Spelling Bee (SCUSD Schools Only), Saturday, March 21, 2026

Location: Oak Ridge Elementary, 4501 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95820

1 Speller Advances to 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee