Region 4 Launches First Spanish Spelling Bee, Opening Door to National Competition

 

For years, local education agencies watched talented Spanish spelling champions hit a dead end. Without a regional spelling bee, districts had no way of advancing their champions to state and national competitions for a shot at the gold.  

 

That all changed after they contacted Region 4 District Advancement Champion Evelyn Martinez, who set out to establish Region 4’s first Spanish Spelling Bee.  

 

Her dream came to fruition earlier this month at the McKinney Conference Center, where 35 elementary and junior high students from 10 school districts and charter schools showcased their Spanish language skills.   

 

“We are just really excited to give students the opportunity to showcase their academic language skills in Spanish and continue their learning beyond their current level and take it to the national stage,” said Martinez.  

 

The competition drew a diverse group of young linguists. “We have students from all walks of life,” Martinez explained. “Spanish is [the] second or third language for many of our students today. They are bilingual and biliterate.”  

 

 

The event came together through extensive preparation, including research trips to other education service centers and collaboration with community volunteers.  

 

“Some of our team members traveled to other ESCs to observe and volunteer in their competition. We got to participate in district-level competition, [Region 20 ESC’s] competition, and even attended the National Spanish Spelling Bee in El Paso, Texas,” Martinez said.  

 

In the elementary division, Tomball ISD claimed first place, followed by Galena Park ISD in second, and Aldine ISD in third. Pasadena Independent School District took top honors in the middle school division, with Aldine ISD and Spring ISD earning second and third places respectively.  

 

The two first-place and second-place winners will advance to the state competition, with the possibility of continuing to nationals.  

The event drew strong support from educators, district representatives, and parents and guardians, marking a significant step forward in promoting bilingual education and biliteracy to increase academic excellence in the region. 

 

“Region 4 has our back,” said Maria Dolores Perejón-Lasheras, Aldine ISD Program Director of Dual Language. “It is not only the [Spanish Spelling Bee]; it’s also all the great events that they do for the students. So, they are there to support us, and we’re partners in the education of the kids.”