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Two Fairfax County Public Schools students advanced from the regional spelling bee to compete against the nation’s best, with one finishing tied for 30th place.
Floris Elementary School fourth grader Laasya Mohan earned her trip to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee by winning the Fairfax County Spelling Bee. She secured the regional title after correctly spelling “béarnaise.”
At the national competition, Laasya tied for 30th place. Rocky Run Middle School eighth grader Aadhya Vijayakumar, the Fairfax County bee’s first runner-up, placed 168th.
Laasya’s classmates already knew they had an accomplished speller in their midst.
“My classmates use me as a dictionary,” she said. “They ask me to spell words, and they ask me what the meanings of words are.”
Aadhya began taking spelling competitions seriously in fourth grade, when she finished third in her school bee. Reaching the national stage affirmed the effort she had invested over the years.
“It’s a validation for all the hard work that I’ve put into it,” she said.
The Fairfax County Council PTA sponsors the county spelling bee and serves as the Scripps regional partner for Fairfax County and Alexandria. The organization supported both national competitors and selected Sangster Elementary School sixth grader Katherine Song, the regional bee’s second runner-up, as an alternate.
Aadhya became the second consecutive Rocky Run student to reach the national competition, following Nikita Ramakrishnan’s appearance the previous year.
To prepare, Aadhya followed a repeating four-day program and considered studying several thousand words each day. She devoted the first day to spelling and word lists, the second to definitions, and the third to roots and languages of origin. On the fourth day, she reviewed everything before beginning the cycle again.
Laasya organized her study words into subjects such as food, music and sports. She then separated familiar words from those she found uncertain, studying the language patterns and roots connected to the more difficult terms before being quizzed by her mother.
She also trained with Akshita Balaji, a former Rachel Carson Middle School student who competed in the national bee in 2019 and 2021.
Both students said spelling has benefits beyond medals and trophies. Aadhya credited it with strengthening her memory, dedication and persistence.
Laasya’s national appearance fulfilled a goal she had carried since first grade, when her mother showed her a video of the Scripps competition.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Laasya said. “I’m really happy and proud to represent Fairfax County at the nationals.”