Raven Amrhein is the only student from Washington participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
SEATTLE — On Tuesday, a Seattle middle school student advanced in the preliminary rounds of competition in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Raven Amrhein, a student at Hamilton International Middle School, is Washington state’s sole participant in this year’s competition.
The seventh grader correctly spelled the word “ailette,” a plate of forged iron or steel worn over a coat of mail to protect the shoulder, and accurately defined the meaning of “tepidity,” the quality or state of being lukewarm, and will now take a written test to determine if they will move on to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Of the 247 young wordsmiths vying to become the nation’s top speller, 194 made it through the preliminary rounds of competition.
Washington speller competes on national stage
-
1/3
-
2/3
-
3/3
/
Raven, 13, started spelling in the second grade at the suggestion of their parents, Neil and Amy. They say they had only won a handful of spelling bees prior to heading to Washington, D.C., to compete on the national stage.
Before heading back east for the competition, Raven said they were cramming in hours of spelling practice each day.
“I am just super excited to actually go to Washington, D.C., and be with the people that I have seen on the covers of my studying books,” Raven told KING 5 before they left for the nation’s capital.
When asked if they were nervous, Raven simply replied, “yes,” and laughed.
When Raven is not studying spelling words, they play music and sing, and are working on writing a manga series called “Crimson Tears.” They also enjoy learning history and science.
The young speller that comes out on top in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year wins $50,000, a reference library from Encyclopaedia Britannica, and other prizes.
The next round of competition is the quarterfinals, held Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
