Sixth grader Tanner Wade of Marshall Elementary claimed the title at the 2026 Greenwood County Spelling Bee after an intense battle Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Marshall Elementary School, in Eureka.
A total of 78 words were spelled during the 2026 Greenwood County Spelling Bee, which went a total of 16 rounds.
Twenty-two spellers from school districts of Eureka, Hamilton and Madison began the annual spelling bee. Six students went out during the 1st round and seven students went out in both the second and third rounds, leaving sixth graders Tanner Wade of Marshall Elementary and Laikyn Henke of Madison Elementary going head-to-head for more than 13 rounds and spelling 5 proven words before a champion was named.
Henke, back-to-back county runner-up, correctly spelled sinister, prestigious, appointment, compassionate, parachute, prototype, lasagna, brick and blooper. Wade correctly spelled deflated, pistachio, ratify, ultimatum, sporadic, invincible, pumpernickel, husk, packet and the final proven word 'remain' to claim the title.
Wade advances to the Sunflower State Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21 at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina.
Other students competing at the county spelling bee included: from Madison/ Virgil USD 386: Hadley Fox, Raleigh Hamilton, Ellie Preeo, Emily Thompson, Logan Fankhauser, Huxley Bellinder, and Brynn Hamilton. From Eureka USD 389: Tad Gulick, Autumn Ryan, Bryson Gilbert, Donovan Owings, Hunter Michael, Francis Baxter and Kolby VanPool. From Hamilton USD 390: Damon Austin, Henry Stitt, Katelyn Nutsch, Brody Greenwood, Madeline Ashlock and Kolten Morton.
