Sanford, NC - On Thursday evening, the sting of competition filled the air as students from every elementary and middle school in the district gathered at W.B. Wicker Auditorium for the 13th annual Lee County Schools District Spelling Bee.
After 11 rounds, Molly Bauer, a seventh grader from San Lee Middle School, came out on top and secured her ticket to the 2026 North Carolina Regional Spelling Bee hosted by the Carolina Panthers in March. The two runners-up were Gregory Bryant, a fifth grader from Deep River Elementary, and Denise Cruz, an eighth grader from East Lee Middle School.
Words such as ramshackle, Yiddish, squalor, and magnanimous tore through the competition, causing only six out of the 21 competitors to make it past round four. Tectonic, valiant, and emissary eliminated three of the remaining four students in the 11th round, leaving Molly to ultimately win by correctly spelling the word "cilantro" in her championship round.
After a five-round spell off, Bryant emerged victorious, procuring second place by accurately spelling the word "syringe." Cruz brought honors back to East Lee Middle School with her third-place finish.
The event’s emcee, Dillon Crocket, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Advanced Learning, invited the winners the opportunity to address the audience. The finalists emphasize the importance of family support and consistent practice, including taking advantage of online apps, for their success.
Bauer now begins her preparation for the 2026 North Carolina Regional Spelling Bee on March 1st, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. If she is able to finish in the top four spots, she will qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in Washington D.C. on May 26-28, 2026.
Submitted by Avery M. Tart
Lee Early College Class of 2024
B.A. in English Candidate, NC State University Class of 2026