LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Allen County students put their mental muscle to the test during the 37th annual county spelling bee.
“Receptionist” was the winning word for Bluffton seventh grader Grant Gesler, who spelled it correctly in Round 5 to win the competition. He competed against 15 other students from Allen County elementary and middle schools.
Gesler said his favorite subject is math and that he did not expect to win the spelling bee. However, thanks to a study app, he prepared for the competition and continued a family tradition.
“There's this app you can get. It's called Word Club. It's a nice app that you can test your words for it, and it has all the words that go into this. So, I just use that a lot. It feels really good, because I wanted to continue my uncle's legacy, because he went to national and he got out there. So, I kind of want to go to national,” says Grant Gesler, 2026 Allen County Spelling Bee Champion.
The Allen County Educational Service Center said it is proud to host the spelling bee each year to shine a spotlight on academics across the county.
“I think it's just something because there's a lot of emphasis put on athletics throughout our community, and justly so, but I think this is something where some kids who shine academically can come show off, show off their skills and their spelling ability," says Brad Clark, Gifted Coordinator, Allen Co. Educational Service Center.
In addition to a plaque, Gesler received a $100 gift card for his win.
School Winners and Runner-Up Results:
Bath Elementary
Winner — Oliver Van Rooyen, 5th grade
Runner-up — Margaret Brown, 5th grade
Bath Middle School
Winner — Gideon Willliams, 6th grade
Runner-up — Samantha Myers, 6th grade
Bluffton Middle School
Winner — Grant Gesler, 7th grade (1st in Allen County Spelling Bee)
Runner-up — Simon Phillips, 7th grade
Delphos Franklin
Winner — Emily Ridenour, 4th grade
Runner-up — Vanessa Moore, 4th grade
Delphos Jefferson
Winner — James Ridenour, 7th grade
Runner-up — Chanley Brenneman, 5th grade
Delphos St. John’s
Winner — Grant Schwinnen, 7th grade (2nd in Allen County Spelling Bee)
Runner-up — Lincoln Kill, 5th grade
Elida Middle School
Winner — Caden Parent, 7th grade
Runner-up — Eli Good, 8th grade
Liberty Christian
Winner — Jaydon Moore, 7th grade
Runner-up — Ava Thompson, 5th grade
Perry Elementary
Winner — Jaxson Henline, 5th grade
Runner-up — Aryiah Ball, 6th grade
Perry Junior High
Winner — Dahlia Wilson, 7th grade
Runner-up — Kydairah Byer, 7th grade
St. Charles
Winner — Rylee Williams, 6th grade
St. Gerard
Winner — Tegan Songco, 6th grade
Runner-up — Lila Fay, 5th grade
St. Rose
Winner — Jax Lane, 7th grade
Runner-up — Aryana Terry, 8th grade
Shawnee Middle School
Winner — Zachary Fry, 8th grade (3rd in Allen County Spelling Bee)
Runner-up — Sajni Patel, 8th grade
Spencerville Middle School
Winner — Adelaide Good, 5th grade
Runner-up — Blake Sensabaugh, 6th grade
Temple Christian
Winner — Benjamin Chandler, 5th grade
Runner-up — Case Gilroy, 5th grade
