In a spirited celebration of language and culture, students from San Angelo ISD showcased their Spanish-word mastery at the 2nd Annual Education Service Center (ESC) Region 15 Spanish Spelling Bee, held on May 8. More than just a spelling contest, the event not only highlighted students’ language aptitude but also celebrated bilingualism and Hispanic heritage. 

“The Spanish Spelling Bee is a meaningful and empowering event that celebrates the linguistic talents of Spanish-speaking students,” said Dr. Marissa Guerrero, Principal of Bradford Elementary. “I believe this event gave Spanish-speaking students an opportunity to shine.”

Dr. Guerrero went on to emphasize the deeper impact of the event: “Students were able to put their Spanish-speaking skills to use, showing pride in their heritage while gaining confidence in their abilities,” she said. “Events like this not only promote academic excellence but also help validate and uplift students’ cultural identities.”

The competition offered more than just spelling challenges; it served as a platform for students to develop crucial life skills including self-confidence, communication, and perseverance under pressure.

“By participating, students engage deeply with language, mastering spelling, pronunciation, and word origins while building a lifelong appreciation for Spanish,” said Mary Castanuela, Title III Education Specialist at Region 15. “Spelling bees sharpen students’ critical thinking, memory, and language comprehension, setting them up for success in education. Spanish is a rich language spoken worldwide. This event honors its significance and reinforces linguistic pride.”

This year’s competition featured two divisions: grades 4–5 and 6–8. In the middle school division, 29 students competed across 11 rounds. Melani Lopez, an 8th grader from Lincoln Middle School, earned 1st place with the correct spelling of “único,” the Spanish word for “only.”

“This year, we saw an exciting expansion in participation, with multiple grade spans competing and more students stepping up to the challenge than ever before,” said Mrs. Castanuela. “With more students engaged, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, determination, and a shared respect for bilingualism.”

The elementary division included 15 competitors from grades 4 and 5. After 17 rounds, Esmeralda Cuevas, a 4th-grade student from Bradford Elementary, took home 1st place with the correct spelling of “bodega.”

“As I watched the final rounds of the Spanish Spelling Bee, I felt a mix of excitement, pride, and admiration for the students on stage,” Dr. Guerrero said. “It was inspiring to see how focused and determined they were, spelling each word with confidence under pressure. I could not help but feel nervous for them with each word they were given, but also incredibly proud of how far they had come. Their hard work and dedication were clear, and it was moving to see them shine in a moment that meant so much. Watching them reminded me of the importance of celebrating language, culture, and the talents of young people.”

2nd Annual ESC Region 15 Spanish Spelling Bee Winners

4th–5th Grade Division

• 1st Place: Esmi Cuevas – Bradford Elementary, 4th Grade
• 2nd Place: Genesis Martinez – Bradford Elementary, 5th Grade
• 3rd Place: Angel Evarsito Montalvo – Bradford Elementary, 5th Grade

6th–8th Grade Division

• 1st place: Melani Lopez – Lincoln Middle School, 8th Grade
• 2nd place: Jose Ferrusca – Lincoln Middle School, 8th Grade
• 3rd Place: Kay Torres – Lincoln Middle School, 8th Grade

The top two winners in each division will now go on to compete in the State Spanish Spelling Bee in El Paso next month. 

The Lincoln Middle School Mariachi group, Los Bravos, performed several songs for the audience as they waited for the competition to begin. Romana Gonzalez, from Region 15 served as Spanish Spelling Bee Master of Ceremonies while Angelo State University Professor Mrs. Maria Onfre-Madrid provided the pronunciation of the spelling words. Luis C. Urtega, Maria Teresa Villar and Wendy Woodring served as the Spanish Spelling Bee judges.

About the ESC Region 15 Spanish Spelling Bee

The Spanish Spelling Bee was implemented by ESC Region 15 last year. After meeting with other education service centers, Dr. Michael Bohensky, School Improvement Coordinator and Texas Instructional Leadership Lead at ESC Region 15, introduced the idea of a regional Spanish Spelling Bee. ESC Region 15 quickly brought it to life after confirming local districts’ interest.

Want to Get Involved?

ESC Region 15 gives advice on how schools and the community can get involved in future Spanish spelling bees.

• Schools can hold practice sessions and mini spelling bees.
• Older students can mentor younger participants.
• Families can read Spanish books together or play word games.
• Local businesses can support the event by contributing prizes, supplies, or other resources that help make the experience special for students.
• Libraries and cultural centers can host Spanish literacy events.
• Media outlets can spotlight student achievements and the value of bilingualism. 

“As we continue growing, the goal is to create lasting opportunities for learners to engage with Spanish in meaningful ways, ensuring that language is seen not just as an academic skill but as a bridge to heritage, identity, and connection,” Mrs. Castanuela said. “By working together, schools, families, and local partners can transform the Spanish Spelling Bee into more than just a competition – it can be a celebrated tradition that strengthens bilingual education, inspires young linguists, and fosters pride in being bilingual.”

San Angelo ISD would like to extend a proud congratulations to all the Spanish Spelling Bee participants. SAISD also extends a sincere thank you to Mrs. Griffin, for coaching the students, helping them prepare for the competition and cultivating their talents. The district commends the generosity of the following community partners who made the inaugural ESC Region 15 Spanish Spelling Bee possible: H-E-B, Sam’s Club, ASU Up & Coming Scholars, Juany’s Salsa, Julio’s and ESC Region 15.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X and for more information on the Bilingual Program continue reading below.

More on the San Angelo ISD Bilingual Program – ¡Orgullo Bilingüe!

SAISD is committed to all English Language Learners’ (EL) language and academic needs. We believe it’s important for our students to hold onto their native language of Spanish and to continue speaking it fluently, while developing English language skills and achieving academic success. The SAISD Bilingual Program is designed to provide Spanish-speaking students the opportunity to be English Proficient by the 3rd grade. The program builds knowledge and learning of academic subjects in a child's first language and English while instilling self-assurance, confidence and cultural pride. For more information or questions, contact SAISD Director of Bilingual Emergent Berta Sepulveda at [email protected] or by phone at 325-947-3838 ext. 215.