Siara Husain, a student at the Islamic Academy of Delaware, captured first place in the Delaware regional spelling bee organized by First State Educate. Winner pictured with Julia Keleher, First State Educate’s chief strategy and operations officer.
Student Siara Husain will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals in Washington, where the nation’s best young spellers will compete for the national title later this year.
WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware’s top young spellers gathered Saturday for the 2026 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee, where Siara Husain of the Islamic Academy of Delaware captured the championship for the second consecutive year and earned the opportunity to represent the First State at the national competition in Washington.
The bee, organized by First State Educate, brought together 57 students from public, charter, private and faith-based schools across all three Delaware counties. The event was held March 7 at the Delaware Technical Community College Del-One Conference Center, where more than 300 parents, teachers and supporters attended the statewide academic competition.
Husain secured the title by correctly spelling “mascarpone,” claiming back-to-back Delaware championships. She will now represent Delaware at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, scheduled for May in Washington.
Nathan Liang of Delaware Valley Classical School finished in second place, while Brandon Zhang of North Star Elementary School placed third. The three finalists were joined on stage by their families and teachers as they received trophies recognizing their achievement.
“Watching these students stand at the microphone and seeing their focus and courage is a reminder of the academic excellence that already exists in Delaware’s public schools,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “Every one of them earned their place on that stage, and every one of them inspired the room.”
The event also highlighted the statewide support for literacy and academic achievement. Among those offering remarks were Matt Meyer, Kyle Evans Gay, Cindy Marten, Dan Cruce, Laura Sturgeon, Kamela Smith, and Eric Buckson.
The program was hosted by Blake Saunders and included remarks from Jasmyn Wright, founder and CEO of the Push Through Organization.
A panel of judges representing education, nonprofit, and community organizations oversaw the competition, while Dr. Nadya Pincus of the University of Delaware served as the official pronouncer.
Keleher said the annual spelling bee demonstrates the value of collaboration across Delaware’s education community.
“Strong public schools are not just an education issue; they are an economic one,” Keleher said. “When businesses, nonprofits and civic leaders invest in opportunities that celebrate student achievement, they send a clear message to every child in Delaware: your hard work matters, and your future matters to this state. That is what Team Delaware looks like.”
More than 50 sponsors and community partners supported this year’s competition, which organizers say is one of the few academic events that brings together students from every type of school in Delaware for a single merit-based competition.
As Delaware’s official regional partner for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, First State Educate organizes the statewide contest each year as part of its efforts to promote literacy and academic excellence.
Schools not represented in this year’s competition are encouraged to participate in the 2027 bee as the program continues to grow.
With the state championship secured, Husain will now prepare to compete against the nation’s top student spellers when the national competition begins this spring in Washington.
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