LYNN — As part of its commitment to literacy and education in the Lynn community, The REAL Program is proud to announce that it is an official 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee regional partner to give local students and schools the opportunity to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition.
As the regional partner for Eastern, MA, The REAL Program will sponsor the regional spelling bee competition held on March 17, 2026, at the Lynn Auditorium and will send the regional champion to the national competition in Washington, DC, in May 2026, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup.
The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion was Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Dallas, Texas, who won the coveted title after coming in second place in the 2024 national competition.
This year marks the inaugural year of The REAL Program as an official Scripps National Spelling Bee regional partner.
“The REAL Program is truly honored to have the opportunity to work with the Lynn Item and other regional education professionals to be the regional sponsor of the Scripps Spelling Bee. This is like an Olympic opportunity for young people who love words! It is a natural fit for The REAL Program, whose mission is to improve literacy in Lynn, MA.” Executive Director/Founder Jan Plourde said.
By inspiring the exploration of words, the Scripps National Spelling Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement, and enriches communities. Each year, the Bee reaches millions of students across the country and around the world with the classroom materials it provides to schools enrolled in the yearlong program.
Participation in regional bees provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence, and inspire a love of learning and connection with their peers. Schools in Eastern Massachusetts are eligible to enroll in the 2025-2026 program now through Feb. 6. Educators can visit SpellingBee.com/enroll to learn more and enroll their schools in the program.
