6th Grader Wins MUSD Spelling Bee - Two Years in a Row!
6th Grader Wins MUSD Spelling Bee - Two Years in a Row!
Bryant Banzhaf, 6th grade student at Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary, became the Marana Unified School District’s 2025 Spelling Bee champion. Bryant is also on a winning streak as last year’s spelling bee winner!
The District’s top 32 spellers were eligible to compete for the title of Spelling Bee champion, ranging from fourth to eighth grade from Marana’s elementary, middle, and K8 schools, at the District’s Spelling Bee hosted on Jan. 15 at Marara Middle School. Alternates were available to step in if a student could not participate.
Congratulations to:
- 1st Place/Champion: Bryant Banzhaf, Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Pyper Swegle, Twin Peaks K-8 School
- 3rd Place: Aella Reid, Marana Middle School
- 4th Place: Kennedy Smith, Tortolita Middle School
- Alternate: Josiah “Josie” Melgar-Cash, Butterfield Elementary School
Students were required to spell various words, including backgammon, truncate, and tangerine.
Bryant Banzhaf holds up trophy!
The spelling bee ended with Bryant and Pyper going toe-to-toe for at least 15 rounds before Bryant won the 2025 Spelling Bee by spelling the word Brigadoon correctly, meaning a place that is idyllic, remote, or unaffected by time. It can also refer to something that is infrequent or only occurs occasionally.
Bryant will be joined by the three top contestants and an alternate at the Pima County Spelling Bee. Congratulations to all District participants and winners!
Pima County Spelling Bee
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - 10:00 am
Canyon Del Oro High School
25 West Calle Concordia
Oro Valley, AZ 85704