Congratulations to Forest Park Individual Education (I.E.) fifth-grade student Isaac Padilla who won the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Elementary School Spelling Bee Contest. Israel Alarcon Carrillo from Isaac Singleton Elementary School was the runner-up. The competition took place at Pershing Elementary School. Also competing in the school district’s fifth-grade spelling contest were T.E. Culbertson Elementary: Leonel Hernandez; M.J. Cunningham Elementary: Marlin Garcia Sanchez; Eisenhower Academy: Kyiah McKenzie; Farragut Elementary: Danyella Arthur; Thomas Jefferson Elementary Aubree Ciszek: Edna Keith Elementary: Annabelle Cordova;
A.O. Marshall Elementary: Mateo Vazquez; Pershing Elementary: Angelina Davila; Sator Sanchez Elementary: Sofia Aguilar; Carl Sandburg Elementary: Kelia Bell; Taft Elementary: Xander Bridgemon; Lynne Thigpen Elementary: Bently Garcia; and Woodland Elementary: Gael Rodriguez Zarate.
“All the students did an exceptional job,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “Spelling in front of an auditorium filled with many people is difficult."
In addition, top junior high spellers will compete in the 2026 Will County Regional Spelling Bee on March 17th at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox. Students representing Joliet District 86 will include: Dirksen Junior High: Vanessa Vargas-Martinez; Gompers Junior High: Yaretzi Jacinto; Hufford Junior High I.E. Program: Jude Dougherty; and Washington Academy: Julia Yanchick.
Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse served as the Spelling Bee pronouncer and judge while Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspector Deborah Ziech and District 86 Coordinator of English Language Arts Dr. Roberts Culp served as judges.