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Every spring, the best young spellers across Arkansas gather under bright lights, waiting for their word and a chance to make their mark. The Arkansas State Spelling Bee is more than just a competition—it celebrates curiosity, confidence and community.
Backed by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas since 2020, the bee continues to grow as a vital part of the state’s educational landscape. It gives students a unique opportunity to challenge themselves academically and proudly represent their hometowns.
A Legacy of Learning
The Arkansas State Spelling Bee is part of the renowned Scripps National Spelling Bee program, celebrating 100 years as an American tradition, making it the nation’s largest and longest-running national education program. The Arkansas competition feeds directly into the national bee, which airs on ESPN each spring; however, the road to that big stage is long and demanding.
Thousands of students embark on their spelling bee journey each year, with one winner emerging at the individual school level. From there, county-level bees gather the best spellers from local districts. Volunteers, many of whom are co-op employees, work tirelessly each year to nurture this event.
In 2025, 55 of Arkansas’ 75 counties participated at the state level, each champion having earned their spot through hours of memorization, practice and resilience. It is impressive to watch these students compete when you see them pause and visualize the word in their minds or practice writing it on their hands before reciting the words aloud. Around 85,000 students from 414 different schools participated in a local spelling bee.
Empowering Students in Every Corner of the State
What makes this effort so meaningful is the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas’ commitment to community impact across the state. Serving 74 of Arkansas’ 75 counties, their reach is not just geographical; it’s deeply personal. By supporting the state spelling bee, they invest in children’s growth from every background, many of whom come from rural or under-resourced areas.
The bee offers more than just a trophy; it gives children a platform to shine. It’s about building confidence, encouraging academic excellence, and providing young Arkansans with something they’ll carry far beyond the competition: believing in their potential.
AECC also supports FFA and local 4-H agricultural programs. In a partnership with 4-H, they enable the SeaPearch underwater robotics teams to compete in international championships. This competition highlights problem-solving, navigating team dynamics, and the development of STEM career skills in robotics and coding. Youth Tour, their premier community investment program, takes Arkansas students to Washington, DC, each summer to learn more about how government works and what initiatives they can build passion around for local community change.
A Season of Spelling: How the Bee Works
The path to the Arkansas State Spelling Bee begins early in the school year. Students participate in local school bees, typically starting in third grade. Participants may repeat each year until they win. Winners from those contests advance to county-level competitions organized by a passionate team of volunteers, educators and community leaders. Local competitions usually occur at the end of the fall semester or soon in Jan. after winter break. County bees are typically held in Feb. , just a month before the state competition.
From there, county champions gather at the state Spelling Bee in Little Rock, hosted at Arkansas 4-H’s The Vines Center. The Vines Center is a great host, providing a community-neutral location for the competition and access to low-cost hotel-style rooms for families in the furthest corners of the state. They can arrive Friday evening, enjoy a great night’s sleep, and not feel rushed upon arrival.
The atmosphere of the competition is charged with nervous energy and excitement as parents clutch programs, judges are ready at the table, and students stand proudly behind their microphones.
Though each speller competes individually, they are united by a shared effort and a love of language. Many describe the state bee as a turning point: an unforgettable experience that motivates them to keep pushing themselves in school and life.
Students must be in eighth grade or younger and complete the competition before turning 15. Often, participants are fifth to seventh-grade students.
Meet the 2025 Champion: Sara Chen of Pulaski County
This year’s winner, Sara Chen, a 12-year-old student from Pinnacle View Middle School in Little Rock, clinched the title with poise and precision. Her winning word? “Whydah,” an African bird. But spelling is just one of Sara’s many talents.
Outside of the bee, Sara is an avid competitive swimmer who says that her passion for swimming gives her discipline and focus – two qualities she also applies to her studies. To prepare for the bee, Sara dedicated herself to daily study routines, spending hours reading, practicing root words, and reviewing word lists with her parents each week. Her hard work paid off, earning her a spot on the national stage.
What’s Next: Supporting Sara at Nationals
Sara will represent Arkansas in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place May 29-30 and air on ESPN. The process is closely guarded to ensure fair competition across all states, and no rounds of the bee are televised before the national event, including the state competition. It’s only something you experience live.
Arkansans can support Sara by tuning in and cheering her on via social media. It’s a powerful moment for our state, especially for young students watching from classrooms across Arkansas who might be inspired to try it themselves.
How to Prepare for a Spelling Bee
Are you thinking about giving it a shot next year? Here are some expert tips to help students (and parents!) get started:
- Start early and be consistent. Word study is a marathon, not a sprint. Students can get word lists after school starts and begin their daily practice routines.
- Read books, articles and challenging texts. The more exposure to language, the better.
- Use the Merriam-Webster app and study guides from Scripps. These are great tools for helping with pronunciation and definition.
- Practice aloud. Spelling out loud helps build confidence and improve memory.
- Learn roots and language origins. Greek, Latin, German—knowing these can unlock tricky words.
- Make it fun. Turn practice into games, use flashcards, or quiz with friends and family.
Want to Participate Locally? – header
If you’re interested in joining the spelling bee journey, check with your school to see if they host a bee and how to get involved. For county-level coordination or questions about volunteering or hosting a bee, contact the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas or visit the Arkansas Spelling Bee website.
The Arkansas State Spelling Bee shows that brilliance can emerge anywhere, and when our communities unite to support students like Sara, everyone benefits.
Images provided through the Arkansas State Spelling Bee.
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