MPS congratulates 2025 Spelling Bee winners in grades 3–8

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students in grades 3–8 stepped up to the challenge this April. Spelling Bee finals were held on April 12, 2025 for grades 3–5 and April 19, 2025 for grades 6–8 to find the best spellers in the district. Winners were crowned for each grade level.

Each of 41 participating schools held preliminary spelling bees to determine winners at the school level, and those winners advanced to the district finals. Students studied a word bank of more than 400 words to prepare for this exciting event.

Spelling bees offer academic competition that requires focused studying, poise, listening, public speaking ability, problem solving, and critical thinking. Each year, students look forward to the Spelling Bee to demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of the English language. The skills gained through participation last a lifetime.

Congratulations to our top spellers.

Grade 3

Winning Word: glistened
Champion: Ella Fernandez, IDEAL School
2nd Place: Cameron Barki, Lowell International School
3rd Place: Yzabella Patterson, 95th Street School

Grade 4

Winning Word: broach
Champion: Jhamar M. Scott, Grantosa Drive School
2nd Place: Khloe N. Dorsey, Lowell P. Goodrich School
3rd Place: Silas Otero, Bay View Montessori School

Grade 5

Winning Word: dignitaries
Champion: Benjamin R. Keto, Bay View Montessori School
2nd Place: Jade C. Fenceroy, 95th Street School
3rd Place: Samadhi Henry, Lowell International School

Grade 6

Winning Word: urchins
Champion: Calder M. Lucas, Maryland Avenue Montessori School
2nd Place: Aiden J. Polivka, Wedgewood Park International School
3rd Place: Charlotte A. Carter, Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts

Grade 7

Winning Word: melee
Champion: Vivienne Parente Da Costa, Maryland Avenue Montessori School
2nd Place: Snigdha Vipparthi, Wedgewood Park International School
3rd Place: Logan Buchanan, James Fenimore Cooper School

Grade 8

Winning Word: squalid
Champion: Joshua L. Bawizauk, Wedgewood Park International School
2nd Place: Gabriela Sanabria-Mata, Golda Meir School
3rd Place: Gianna Hernandez, Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes