The 23rd Annual Regional Spelling Bee was held on Saturday February 1, 2025 in the Goodrich

Theater at SUNY Oneonta. 

25 students from 13 school districts competed in this year’s regional event, after winning earlier competitions at their school’s local spelling bee.
Margot Fieni, an 8th grade student from Oneonta City Schools, correctly spelled “Burmese” in the 16th round and was declared the winner of this year’s regional competition. 

The victory earns Margot the chance to travel to National Harbor, Maryland in late May to compete against more than 200 other spellers from around the country and the world at the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Congratulations, Margot!

The Daily Star's support of this program for over twenty years has enabled our regional champion to compete at the National Spelling Bee Competition. 

Contributions from businesses and individuals support the Bee Fund helps the champion and the family travel and cover meal expenses to compete.  "Money should never be the obstacle that prevents a student from our rural schools from competing at the national level.  For this reason, the Bee Fund relies on the kind support of our local organizations to give the bee champion the wings to fly and experience this amazing opportunity," said the Program Coordinator, Martha Ryan.

Enrollment for the 2026 Spelling Bee Program begins in August 2025.  Students from any school within the DCMO and ONC BOCES region are eligible to participate.  For more information on how to enroll in this program visit the SCRIPPS website or contact Martha Ryan.