FARGO — Chaitanya Gopi and Sunny Zhang have emerged as the top spellers in Cass County and will represent the region at the upcoming state competition next month. Gopi, a sixth grader from Dakota Montessori School, won the annual Cass County Spelling Bee held on February 23, 2024, while Zhang, a seventh grader at Ben Franklin Middle School, secured second place. Both students are set to compete at the State Spelling Bee on March 23, 2024, at the Bismarck Event Center.
The competition featured 38 participants from nine schools across the county. The event commenced with a written round, which narrowed down the contestants to the top 12 scorers. These finalists then participated in a live spell-off to determine the two students who would qualify for the state championship.
Third place was claimed by Emberly Wobbema, an eighth grader at Capstone Classical Academy. Each county in North Dakota is permitted to send two students to the state level, where they will compete for the chance to represent the state at the prestigious 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
The Cass County Spelling Bee showcases the dedication and talent of young spellers in the area. Gopi and Zhang’s accomplishments reflect their hard work and preparation leading up to the competition. As they gear up for the state event, both students are eager to demonstrate their skills against competitors from across North Dakota. The excitement builds as the community supports their journey to the national stage.
