Eureka (March 3, 2025) – Fourteen regional champions from all over Humboldt County competed in the Paulette Gilliam Humboldt County Spelling Bee on February 27 at the Sequoia Conference Center. This year the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) has 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. 

Dr. Colby Smart, Deputy Superintendent, welcomed the eager crowd and spoke about how the first spelling bee’s winning word was “believe”. After 11 fierce rounds, Ike Sperling 4th grader at Jacoby Creek School is our Champion. Juniper Kyle, 5th grader at Lafayette Elementary took second place.  Vivian Mull, 8th grader at Fortuna Middle School took home the 3rd place trophy. The winning word was continuum. Coast Central Credit Union is a proud co-sponsor of the Spelling Bee and has partnered with HCOE in providing a travel scholarship for the Ike and his parents. 

Melanie Nannizzi, Superintendent/Principal of Jacoby Creek School said, “We are so proud of Ike’s amazing accomplishment. We are thrilled to have him represent Jacoby Creek School and Humboldt County in the National Spelling Bee Competition.” 

HCOE has been hosting the county spelling bee for 40 years. In honor of our 40th year, the Humboldt County Spelling Bee has been renamed to honor and memorialize Paulette Gilliam.  

Paulette worked for HCOE from 1989 – 2017. Her final position was the School Support Department Secretary. For many years, Paulette was the organizing force behind the Humboldt County Spelling Bee. She was known to drive students to the state competition if they couldn’t travel with family members. She is fondly remembered as the “Queen Bee”, and it was one of her favorite events. 

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.