EUREKA (March 5, 2026) – Twelve regional champions from all over Humboldt County competed in the Paulette Gilliam Humboldt County Spelling Bee on March 5 at the Sequoia Conference Center on Thursday.
The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) partnered with Scripps National Spelling Bee. The National Competition will take place in National Harbor, Maryland in May. Per Scripps Spelling Bee guidelines, the Bee was an oral competition.
Michael Davies-Hughes, County Superintendent of Schools, welcomed the eager crowd. “Watching these students spell words most adults wouldn’t even attempt was both impressive and a little humbling,” he said. “Our community is proud of the achievements of every student who had the courage to participate in this Bee.”
After five rounds, Jon W. Ford, 8th grader at Pacific Union School is our Champion, and has earned a place at the national Bee. Cayana Kohndrow, 8th grader at Cuddeback School, took second place. Michael Glines, 5th grader at Ferndale Elementary School took home the 3rd place trophy. The winning word was effraction.
Coast Central Credit Union is a proud co-sponsor of the Spelling Bee and has partnered with HCOE in providing a travel scholarship for Jon W. and his parents.
“On behalf of Pacific Union Elementary School, we would like to congratulate Jon W. Ford, Humboldt County’s Spelling Bee Champion!” said Pacific Union Elementary School principal Mathew Bigham. “Jon’s hard work and commitment have earned him a well-deserved spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland. Jon is a shining example of what our students can achieve, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch him compete for the top prize — $40,000 — representing both his school and his county. We are all rooting for you Jon!”
HCOE extends its thanks to the volunteers who made the event possible: Spelling Bee Coordinator Nanette Voss, an Instructional Coach of Eureka City Schools; Bill Funkhouser, who had the daunting task of pronouncing all the words; and our judges, Alexa Blania, Mauro Staiano, Kristin Sobilo, and Lily Herlihy.
For more information, please visit https://hcoe.org/spelling-bee/ or contact Stacy Young, Community Outreach and Engagement Director, HCOE outreach@hcoe.org or 707-445-7024.