Cypress Lake Middle School seventh grader Nihal Gelli has won the 2026 Lee County Spelling Bee, according to The School District of Lee County. He will represent Lee County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May to compete for the Scripps Cup.
“When I heard the championship word, I knew right away that I knew how to spell it,” Nihal said. “I realized I had a strong chance of winning.”
Carabiner was Nihal’s winning word at the March 26 Bee. A carabiner is a D-shaped or oblong metal ring with one spring-hinged side that is used especially in mountain climbing as a connector and to hold a freely running rope. Thirty students from 18 schools competed, with Nihal being declared the winner in the 13th round…