Students across the Virgin Islands stepped into the spotlight last Thursday for the 2026 District Spelling Bees, held simultaneously in the St. Thomas–St. John and St. Croix. By day’s end, a third grader and a seventh grader had claimed the top titles — each earning the right to advance to the Territorial Spelling Bee next month.
In the St. Thomas–St. John District, Melaya Petersen, a third grader at Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, emerged as champion after advancing through multiple rounds against competitors as old as eighth grade. She was followed by Kashyma Paul of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School in second place and Messiah Smith of Addelita Cancryn Junior High School in third.
Rounding out the top 10 in the district were Brendan Jackson of Joseph Sibilly Elementary School; Raj Mipuri of Antilles School; Ashlyn Potter of Antilles School; Malik Williams of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Nikai VanBeverhoudt of Antilles School; Tansy Vital of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; and Hosea Sello of Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.
On St. Croix, seventh grader Rayan Felix of Free Will Baptist Christian School captured the district title. He was followed by Patricia Daytic of St. Mary’s Catholic School in second and Guillian Canceko of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School in third.
Additional St. Croix finalists included Zawadi Bergan of Lew Muckle Elementary School; Jahmir Greaux of Elena L. Christian Junior High School; Aisha Al-Jaloudi of Church of God Holiness Academy; Grace Sookraj of Good Hope Country Day School; Charles Francis of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School; Aliyah Rivera of Elena L. Christian Junior High School; and Emmanuel Almestica of Ricardo Richards Elementary School.
Behind those podium moments was months of coordination.
On St. Croix, District Language Arts Coordinator Paulina Crosky said preparation begins as early as August, when schools must register with the Scripps National Spelling Bee and conduct their own campus competitions before advancing students to the district level.
“They cannot participate in the district bee if they are not registered with Scripps,” Crosky explained. “Each individual school has to hold its own spelling bee first.”
Crosky, who previously served as a school spelling bee coordinator herself, said coaches often meet with students during lunch periods and after school. Some competitors return year after year, trying again for their school title.
“I see some of the students come back,” she said. “They’re trying once again to be their school champion.”
This year, Crosky noted a noticeable increase in parent involvement. Ahead of the competition, the district hosted a reception where students drew for their lineup order, reviewed rules, and participated in activities designed to ease nerves. Parents were even invited to participate in a lighthearted mock spelling bee.
On St. Croix, a student-led “comfort team” and members of student council also helped create a welcoming atmosphere for competitors waiting their turn. The effort, Crosky said, was intentional — building confidence before students ever approached the microphone.
“It helped them feel comfortable,” she said. “They weren’t strangers when the bee started.”
On St. Thomas, the day carried its own community touch. The Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Culinary Arts class, led by teacher Asim Morton, prepared and provided lunch for the champion and alternate spellers. Sponsors including Deborah Hodge, The Virgin Islands Daily News and Tutu Park Mall also contributed to the district competition.
By the final rounds in both districts, the room had narrowed to just a few students, each steadying their breathing before spelling words that grew increasingly complex. Some faltered. Some held firm. But every student stepped away having done something difficult: standing alone in front of a crowd and trusting their preparation.
The top six finalists from each district will now advance to the Territorial Spelling Bee, where one student will earn the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
For Crosky, the victory is meaningful — but so is everything that comes before it.
“It’s the confidence,” she said. “That stays with them.”
