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
