Branson sixth-grader who won regional bee earns spot in Scripps National Spelling Bee

A sixth-grader from Branson has secured a spot to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 26-31, in Washington D.C.

Kunal Patel, who attends Branson's Cedar Ridge Intermediate, will compete in the national event after winning a regional competition.

On March 25, Patel won the 2024 Association for Children’s Educational Sponsorship Regional Missouri Spelling Bee, which was in Rolla.

A total of 16 students, in grades 1-8. competed in the regional spelling bee. But, this was the first spelling bee for Patel.

The winning word, which Patel spelled correctly, was "parkour."

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“There were a lot of words to memorize, and it was fun to prepare leading up to the competition,” said Patel, in a news release from the Branson school district. “I am happy I won, but also surprised. I am proud to represent CedarRidge Intermediate at the national competition.”

The other Branson students who participated included:

• Blake Bliss, third grade: Tied fourth place, Cedar Ridge Elementary
• Shiloh Duston, sixth grade: Tied sixth place, Cedar Ridge Intermediate
• Jada Kelley, fifth grade: Tied ninth place, Cedar Ridge Intermediate
• Gabriel Orellana Medrano, second grade: Tied 14th place, Cedar Ridge Elementary
• Landon Strahan, second grade: Tied 14th place, Cedar Ridge Elementary