Esha Marupudi Wins Back-to-Back Arizona State Spelling Bee Titles
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Melissa Kaszuba
March 21, 2026 melissa@uriascommunications.com
Phoenix, AZ — The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) proudly announces that Esha Marupudi, an 8th grade student at BASIS Chandler in an independent charter school district has been crowned the 2026 Arizona State Spelling Bee Champion.
After several competitive rounds of spelling, Esha Marupudi emerged as the state champion among 28 top spellers representing schools across Arizona. The Arizona State Spelling Bee brings together outstanding students who have advanced through school and regional competitions to earn a place on the state stage.
By winning the state title, Esha Marupudi advances to represent Arizona at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held this spring in Washington D.C. Esha won the title by successfully spelling penicillate.
The runner-up, Smriti Parajuli, an 8th grade student at Centennial Middle School in the Crane Elementary School District, will also represent Arizona at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
“Each year, the Arizona State Spelling Bee showcases the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence of students across our state,” said Emily Ramirez-Lara, Senior Director of Programs & Partnerships at AEF. “We are incredibly proud of all the participants and excited to see our top two spellers represent Arizona on the national stage.”
Top Five Finalists
The following students placed in the Top Five of the 2026 Arizona State Spelling Bee:
- Esha Marupudi, 8th Grade, BASIS Chandler, Independent School District — 1st Place
- Smriti Parajuli, 8th Grade, Centennial Middle School, Crane Elementary School District— 2nd Place
- Sumukh Tirumalasetty, 5th Grade, Vijaya Shankar Scholars Academy, Homeschool— 3rd Place
- Marcelo Garcia Rojas, 5th Grade, Center for Educational Excellence — 4th Place
- Bryant Banzhaf, 7th Grade, Marana Middle School, Marana Unified School District— 5th Place
Students who place first and second in the Arizona State Spelling Bee were awarded a trophy; airfare and hotel accommodations for the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the student and one chaperone; a check for $800; a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, courtesy of Merriam-Webster; a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium, courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica; and a one-year subscription to News-O-Matic.
The third, fourth, and fifth place Spelling Bee winners receive a trophy and a $25 Amazon gift card from the Arizona Educational Foundation
About AEF Since 1983, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has been at the frontlines of Arizona’s PreK–12 public education system celebrating excellence and addressing persistent challenges facing schools, educators, and students. Founded by former Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner, AEF is the state’s only education foundation charged with elevating Arizona education by showcasing schools and educators that exemplify best practices and to confront issues facing schools and educators. As such, our 11 statewide initiatives serve as beneficial interventions that help increase academic opportunities for schools, build leadership pipelines, support teacher retention, and expand opportunities for students and districts who too often go without. Public education is the heart of a community, and AEF remains focused on ensuring every student, in every community, has access to the resources, educators, and opportunities required to succeed. For more information visit www.azedfoundation.org or email info@azedfoundation.org.