Eighth-grade student Phaneendra Bulusu of Harris Road Middle School was crowned the 2026 Cabarrus County Schools’ District Spelling Bee Champion on Wednesday in a competition held at Mount Pleasant Middle School.

In the 7th round, Phaneendra correctly spelled the Bee’s championship word – calabash – to win his fourth straight District Spelling Bee. According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, calabash is a tropical plant which produces a large fruit, the outside of which becomes hard when dried and can be used as a container.

Jack Spratling, an eighth-grade student from Mount Pleasant Middle School was the runner-up. 

Both Phaneendra and Jack will now advance to compete in the Carolina Panthers Regional Spelling Bee, presented by Bank of America, on Sunday, March 1st at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Twenty-nine students competed in the District Bee representing their elementary and middle schools. The spelling bee is open to students in grades three through eight.

Congratulations, Phaneendra and Jack, and good luck at the Regional!

A complete list of participants is below.

*Note- Wincecoff's winner was Princeton Holt, but he was unable to attend the district Bee.