Wheaton, IL, May 29, 2026 – Shruthi Ayyagari, an eighth-grade student at Francis Granger Middle School in Aurora, earned an outstanding 10th-place finish out of 247 competitors at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Representing DuPage County, Shruthi advanced through multiple rounds against the nation’s top young spellers.
Shruthi qualified for the national competition after winning the DuPage Regional Spelling Bee with the word telegnosis. During the national competition, she successfully navigated multiple challenging rounds, correctly spelling words such as aerophilatelic, viscerotonic, and Chianina. She tied for 10th place after misspelling lecideiform.
“Shruthi’s remarkable achievement on the national stage reflects not only her extraordinary talent and dedication, but also the strong support of her family, teachers, and school community,” said Amber Quirk, DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools.
“Finishing in the top 10 out of 247 of the nation’s best spellers is an incredible accomplishment,” said Vickie Trotter, Assistant Regional Superintendent and the DuPage Regional Bee organizer. “We are proud to have Shruthi represent DuPage County and inspire students across our region through her hard work and perseverance.”
Shruthi previously competed in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee and significantly improved on her prior finish this year. Learn more about Shruthi’s experience at the Scripps Bee here: https://spellingbee.com/speller-summary/76
# # #
About the DuPage Regional Office of Education
The DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) serves as a collaborative leader in education across DuPage County by providing essential services, supporting educators, and fostering safe, innovative, and equitable learning environments. Through strong partnerships with school districts, families, and the Illinois State Board of Education, the DuPage ROE helps navigate resources, outreach, and education while strengthening educational systems and expanding opportunities for students, with the shared goal of ensuring every learner is equipped to succeed in school and beyond. For more information, visit DupageROE.org.