East Lake Middle School student wins regional Spelling Bee

 

Park Allen, an eighth grader at East Lake Middle School, won the 2026 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee. The competition was hosted by the University of South Florida College of Education on Feb. 14.

The Bee included 58 representatives from nine counties, including 26 students from Pinellas County Schools. Last year, Park also made us proud by placing in the top four in the regional competition.

Oscar Ivanov, a fourth grader at Elisa Nelson Elementary School, secured third place this year, too. 

As the regional champion, Park will represent the Southwest Florida region at the National Bee in late May in Washington, D.C.