Four Santa Barbara County students have earned spots at the 2024 California State Spelling Bee after proving their spelling prowess at the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee.

Spelling Bee winners Benjamin De Olivera, left, Aman Isukapalli, and Dylan McLean hold up their trophies. (Courtesy photo)
Spelling Bee winners Benjamin De Olivera, left, Aman Isukapalli, and Dylan McLean. (Courtesy photo)

A total of 71 students in fourth-ninth grades participated in the annual spelling competition, organized by the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Participants were top spellers from elementary, junior high, and high schools across Santa Barbara County.

Top spellers Luke Johnson, left, Tommy Groeninger proudly hold their trophies. (Courtesy photo)
Top spellers Luke Johnson, left, Tommy Groeninger (Courtesy photo)

At the elementary school level (fourth-sixth grade), Isla Vista Elementary sixth-grader Aman Isukapalli took first place with the winning word “armistice.” Second place went to Cold Spring School fifth-grader Benjamin De Olivera for “enmity.” Dylan McLean, a sixth-grader at Montecito Union, finished in third with the word “permeability.”

“I was amazed at how well I had done,” Isukapalli said. “As soon as my victory was announced, I was excited and relieved. This achievement means so much to me.

“I have been preparing for quite a long time, and to see the result of all that practice filled me with joy.”

In the junior high division (grades seven and eight), eighth-grader Natalie O. (who preferred to only share the first letter of her last name and to refrain from being photographed) brought home the first-place title with the word “gastroenterology.”

Second place went to Luke Johansen, a ninth-grader at Bishop Diego High School, for the word “coherent.” Our Lady of Mount Carmel eighth-grader Tommy Groeninger rounded out the podium in third place, spelling “procrastinating” correctly.

As first and second-place winners, Isukapalli and De Olivera are invited to compete in the elementary division and Natalie O. and Luke Johansen in the junior high division of the California State Spelling Bee, April 27 in Stockton at the San Joaquin County Office of Education

“Congratulations to the 2024 Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee participants,” said County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido. “It takes a lot of courage to compete in this setting – we are all proud of your dedication, courage, and passion for learning – and spelling.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, including the many teachers, schools, parents, and volunteers, for making this year’s event a success.”

The Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee is a program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office.