United Independent School District is proud to announce the winners of the 13th Annual District Spelling Bee.

• First Place - Anushka Moorjani, 5th Grade - Col. Santos Benavides Elementary School

• Second Place - Michael Moreno, 5th Grade – Fasken Elementary School

• Third Place - Joseph Treviño, 5th Grade - Prada Elementary School

The Spelling Bee featured 43 student champions who each earned first place at their respective campus. The competition included 30 elementary and 13 middle school students and progressed through multiple rounds until the top three District winners were determined.

Special thanks to Spelling Bee judges, Twila Garza, Nelia Guajardo, Anell Ramirez-Garcia, and Jesus Gonzalez, and Spelling Bee Announcer, Roberto J. Santos Elementary Special Populations Administrator Lisa Dunn.

Last year’s District and Citywide Spelling Bee Winner, Alejandro Martinez, gave a few words of encouragement to this year’s contestants. Alejandro is now a Freshman at United South High School.

All participants will now advance to the Regional Spelling Bee, scheduled for March 28, 2026 at the TAMIU Student Center Ballroom.

Left to Right: Director of Elementary Education Gabriela Perez, Joseph Treviño - 3rd Place, Anushka Moorjani - 1st Place, Michael Moreno - 2nd Place, Executive Director of Elementary Education Zaida Gonzalez

Left to Right: Spelling Bee Judges Nelia Guajardo, Anell Ramirez-Guajardo, Jesus Gonzalez, Twila Garza

Spelling Bee Announcer: Roberto J. Santos Elementary Special Populations Administrator Lisa Dunn

Last Year’s 1st Place Winner, Alejandro Martinez, now a USHS Freshman