DMS student wins RCPS Spelling Bee in 'valiant' performance, BES student named runner-up

Congratulations to the 2026 RCPS Spelling Bee winner Augustina Anyigba, an eighth grader at Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, and runner-up Ashley Green, a fourth grader at M.G. Barksdale Elementary School! Anyigba's winning word described her performance at this year's Bee - "valiant."

Fifteen contestants, ranging from fourth grade to eighth grade and each representing an elementary or middle school in RCPS, faced off in the RCPS Spelling Bee held Friday, January 16, 2026, at G.L. Edwards Middle School.

Anyigba was the first contestant to secure one of the two finalist spots after eight rounds by correctly spelling "felonious." Green, who competed at the district bee last year as a third grader, and Trio Miller of Conyers Middle School battled it out to see who would be the other finalist. Green correctly spelled "vendetta," "blatant," and "affiliate." Miller correctly spelled "welterweight," "acoustic," but missed on the word "entrails."

In the final round with the two finalists, after Green incorrectly spelled "pinnacle," Anyigba correctly spelled "tectonic" and "valiant" to win the trophy as the RCPS Spelling Bee champion.

Anyigba will go on to compete in the Regional Bee, held February 28, 2026, at EMS, and Green will serve as the alternate.

The district Bee's judges were Heather Toliver (RCPS Science, Health, and PE Coordinator), Jenee' Lee (RCPS ESOL Coach), and RCPS Teacher of the Year Gretchen Gault. This year's announcer was Curt Zehner. RCPS Spelling Bee organizers included RCPS Literacy Coach Trinecia Ward, RCPS Language and Literacy and EIP Coordinator Shenita Russell, ELA and World Languages Coordinator Dr. Sha'Ronda McRae.

Thank you to our judges, organizers, coaches, and families for all your hard work! And a big round of applause for all our phenomenal spellers who participated! It takes courage to be on stage and compete and we are incredibly proud of all our contestants.

2026 RCPS Spelling Bee Contestants and School-level winners:

Ashley Green (BES)

Aiden Travieso (CJH)

Ava Ball (FSE)

Prince Williams (HTE)* 

Gabriella Patrascu (HCE)

Madison Danowski (JHH)

Imani Howard (LES)

Desirey Abbott (PCE)

Montezz Luster (PSE)

RiaPrimetiva Howell (SCE)

Jurnee Nelson (SES)

Trio Miller (CMS)

Augustina Anyigba (DMS)

Sivanni Paari (EMS)

Annalise Nozart (MMS)

Geoffrey Crenshaw, Jr. (Rockdale Virtual Campus, 6th Grade)

*=school winner, did not compete in district Spelling Bee.

Pictured below: 2026 RCPS Spelling Bee Champion Augustina Anyigba of DMS, left, and Ashley Green of BES, right.

Pictured below: Contestants in the 2026 RCPS Spelling Bee lined up on stage before the competition. 

Pictured below:  2026 RCPS Spelling Bee winner Augustina Anyigba of DMS, center, DMS Spelling Coordinator Marneda Ivey, left, district bee organizer Trinecia Ward, right.

Pictured below: 2026 RCPS Spelling Bee runner up Ashley Green of BES, center, BES Spelling Coordinator Tonya Grant, right, district bee organizer Trinecia Ward, left.