The brightest young minds in Lassen County showcased their linguistic prowess at the 2025 Lassen County Spelling Bee, held on Friday, March 14th at Richmond Elementary School. The annual competition brought together champion spellers from seven local elementary and middle schools, including Big Valley Elementary School, Diamond View Middle School, Janesville School, Johnstonville Elementary School, Long Valley School – Doyle, Richmond Elementary School and Shaffer Elementary.
The event featured three divisions, allowing students in different grade levels to compete amongst their peers. Division one saw 18 talented 3rd and 4th graders vying for the top spot, while division two included 15 eager spellers from 5th and 6th grades. The final division showcased the skills of nine accomplished 7th and 8th-grade students.
Jackson Fletcher from Johnstonville Elementary School claimed the title in Division one, with Talia Gard from Shaffer Elementary School earning the runner-up position. In Division two, Angel Velasco of Diamond View Middle School spelled his way to victory, while Logan Morataya, also from Shaffer Elementary School, secured the runner-up spot. The champion of Division three was Caelynn Saltsgaver from Janesville School, with Sarah Smirl of Diamond View Middle School taking home the runner-up honors.
Each of the division champions was awarded a medallion and a gift card in recognition of their hard work and dedication. The runners-ups in each division also received a well-deserved medallion.
The success of the 2025 Lassen County Spelling Bee was made possible through the generous support of several local sponsors. A heartfelt thank you was extended to Soroptimist International of Susanville, the Johnstonville School Community Association, and Richmond Elementary School for their contributions.
The annual spelling bee continues to be a highlight for Lassen County schools, celebrating academic achievement and fostering a love for language in young learners.
