Carson Walker/South Dakota News Watch
South Dakota News Watch and Dakota Wesleyan University are again sponsoring the state spelling bee, which gives local students and schools the opportunity to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition.
The state bee is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, at DWU in Mitchell. The champion will compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2027 in Washington, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup.
This is the third year News Watch and DWU have sponsored the state competition.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the South Dakota State Spelling Bee back to the Dakota Wesleyan University campus on Feb. 6, 2027. DWU is proud to provide a place where students from across the state can come together, showcase their hard work and celebrate their passion for learning. We look forward to cheering on these talented spellers and being part of this special event once again,” said Jan Larson, director of marketing and communications at DWU.
Oscar Quezada from Challenge Center Elementary School in Sioux Falls won the 2026 South Dakota State Spelling Bee in the 19th round and made it to the second round in Washington.
Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling 32 out of 35 words in 90 seconds, setting a new spell-off record.
Key dates and new tool for parents, students
Each year, the bee reaches millions of students across the country and around the world with the classroom materials it provides schools enrolled in the yearlong program.
Participation in regional bees also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers.
Elementary and middle schools as well as home schools in South Dakota are now eligible to enroll in the 2026-2027 program. Educators can visit SpellingBee.com/enroll to learn more and enroll.
Each school will hold its own competition and send one winner to the state bee.
The enrollment fee is $199 through Nov. 30 and increases to $225 until Jan. 22, which is the deadline for school champions to be reported. Family home schools will be invoiced $135 per school for the entirety of the enrollment period.
Enrollment comes with online access to classroom and school materials, including study lists, competition guides and supplemental resources like written test materials for every grade level.
Starting this year, enrollment also allows students’ parents to create accounts in the new Spelling Bee Resource Center where they can download study lists and access exclusive study resources and tips from the bee.
The 2027 Scripps National Spelling Bee will be May 31-June 4 in Washington.