Dutchtown Middle School Seventh-Grader Niara Winslett Wins 2026 Henry County Schools Spelling Bee

HENRY COUNTY, GA  – Niara Winslett, a seventh-grader at Dutchtown Middle School, is Henry County Schools’ 2026 Spelling Bee champion.

Families joined HCS personnel in supporting students in the districtwide Spelling Bee held Jan. 16 at the McDonough Performing Arts Center.

After several rounds of intense competition, which began with a field of 40 HCS elementary and middle school students, Winslett secured the victory by correctly spelling the word “meniscus.” The three students rounding out the exceptional top four competitors are as follows:

• Melody Norman, a fourth-grader at Birch Creek Elementary School, placed second.
• Olivia Augustin, a fifth-grader from Pate’s Creek Elementary, placed third.
• Anika Essieh, an eighth-grader from McDonough Middle School, placed fourth.

Winslett and Norman went head-to-head for eight rounds, with Winslett emerging as the winner after a total of 17 rounds for the overall competition. She was presented with a trophy and a certificate, while the top three runners-up were awarded medals and certificates.

The Henry County Association of Educators, the official sponsor of the Spelling Bee, also presented monetary awards to the top four performers.

Winslett, Norman, Augustin, and Essieh will represent the district at the Georgia Association of Educators Regional Spelling Bee on Feb. 28 at Edwards Middle School in Conyers. The students will compete against the region’s best spellers as they strive to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

“I am extremely proud of our students, not only because of their desire to be part of this honored event, but for investing the time and effort to advance to this stage,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “Congratulations to the top four performers, and we will continue to root for them as they compete at the regional level for a chance to represent the district in the national competition. Thanks to our school leaders, teachers, English Language Arts Department, and, of course, our families for supporting the students on this journey. I extend special thanks to the Henry County Association of Educators for their contributions to Henry County Schools’ Spelling Bee each year. ”

The Spelling Bee aligns with the district’s literacy focus and commitment to developing a community of powerful readers and writers through initiatives such as the HenryReads campaign.

Student performance across various measures and recognition programs demonstrates the impact of districtwide initiatives, including gains in the number of elementary and middle schools recognized as John Hancock Award Schools and the increase in the number of Literacy  Leader Schools.

“I am so proud of every student who competed,” said Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “By participating in the Spelling Bee, not only do our students hone critical literacy and communication skills, but they also learn important lessons about competition, resilience, and the value of hard work. Congratulations to all students who were part of the district competition. We wish our advancing students success in the upcoming events and applaud them for representing Henry County Schools.”

The Henry County Association of Educators is the governing body for the Spelling Bee, with Henry County Schools’ English Language Arts Department hosting the event each year.