Carson Walker/South Dakota Searchlight
Elementary and middle school students from around South Dakota will compete Saturday, Feb. 7, in the state spelling bee at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell.
For the second year, DWU and South Dakota News Watch are sponsoring the competition that will send a winner to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington in May.
Schools have until today, Jan. 16, to hold their own competition and crown a school winner who will take the stage in Mitchell. Schools taking part will be announced next week.
“Hosting the South Dakota State Spelling Bee reflects Dakota Wesleyan University’s commitment to academic excellence and lifelong learning. It’s an honor to welcome students from across the state and celebrate their hard work, curiosity and love of learning,” said Jan Larson, director of marketing and communications at DWU.
“We received incredibly positive feedback from participants and families last year, which speaks to the excitement and impact of this spelling bee. We’re proud to host the bee at DWU again, and invite the public to attend and support these outstanding students as they compete.”
The competition, held in the Sherman Center on campus, is open to everyone at no cost, and tickets are not required. Registration for the competitors will begin at 9 a.m. Central time Saturday, Feb. 7, and the bee will start at 10 a.m.
In late 2024, the bee reached out to South Dakota News Watch to see if it would be interested in covering the sponsorship fee to ensure the state was represented at the national competition.
“South Dakota News Watch is committed to civic engagement and powerful storytelling, so we’re proud to sponsor a program that showcases dynamic young South Dakotans, their remarkable dedication and the power of language,” said Nick Kotzea, SDNW’s board chair.