The Surry County School System hosted the 2026 spelling bee on February 16, 2026, at Dobson First Baptist Church. Dr. Shelley Goins pronounced the words in the championship bee. Dr. Goins is the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Accountability.
Emma Edwards won the championship bee in the sixth round. Emma will compete with approximately three dozen other student spellers from northwest North Carolina at the Carolina Panthers Regional Spelling Bee at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The following students placed in the championship and school spelling bees. They are pictured with Shanoon DuPlessis, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, Superintendent Dr. Travis L. Reeves, and Surry County Board of Education member Dale Badgett.
Championship Bee
1st place - Emma Edwards from Gentry Middle
2nd place - Chandler Cosby from Meadowview Magnet Middle
3rd place - Braxton Dunlap from Cedar Ridge Elementary
Individual School Champions
Enoch Addington from Copeland Elementary
Adeline Cave from Dobson Elementary
Cyrus Rios from Flat Rock Elementary
Jennifer Dillon from Franklin Elementary
Riley Kreger from Mountain Park Elementary
Avery Martinez from Pilot Mountain Elementary
Jonah Luddeke & Carter Hiatt from Rockford Elementary
Ellasyn Graham from Shoals Elementary
Marlow Russett from Westfield Elementary
Miranda Graybeal from White Plains Elementary
Cathryn Edmonds & Talia Gearheart from Central Middle
Lola Wooten from Pilot Mountain Middle
Tyson Secrest from Surry Online Magnet School
