For a fourth straight year, Nikhil Ganta has been named the champion of the Poudre School District Spelling Bee. Ganta, now a sixth-grade student at Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, won the 2026 title after correctly spelling “panacea” during the competition held at the Johannsen Support Services Center Jan. 23.
Ganta and 10 fellow PSD students will move on to compete in the Colorado State Spelling Bee. The online spelling and vocabulary test will be held on Feb. 19 with the live competition following on March 7 at Sturm Hall on the University of Denver campus.
These students include:
- First Place in the PSD Bee: Nikhil Ganta, Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School
- Second place in the PSD Bee: Declan Zhou, Timnath Middle-High School
- Jack Shea, Ridgeview Classical Schools
- Sophia Spink, Lesher Middle School
- Oliver Ellis, Liberty Common Junior High
- Rylen Moore, Bennett Elementary School
- Dhruti Gollamudi, Bethke Elementary School
- Eisley Wight, Blevins Middle School
- Aspen Glenn, Dunn Elementary School
- Noah Woods, Linton Elementary School
- James Campbell, Poudre Global Academy
“The District Spelling Bee is always something that I and many others at PSD look forward to each year. It is a joy to see students put their incredible intellect on display in impressive fashion,” said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. “I want to congratulate each and every one of our spelling bee participants this year. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of a crowd and take part in this competition. I am proud of the dedication of our students to be the best spellers they can be!”