Placer County Spelling Bee Champions Announced
Mar 19, 2025 12:21PM ● By Placer County Office of Education News Release
Pictured left to right are junior high spelling bee winners Tyler Real, Stella Wylie-Minor, Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, Daphne Elliott and Chase McDaniel. Photo courtesy of Placer County Office of Education
ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) – The 2025 Placer County Spelling Bee showcased the incredible talent and determination of local students. With months of preparation and a passion for words, these young spellers demonstrated outstanding skill and perseverance in a competition that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
“The participation of Placer County students in the spelling bee highlights both their academic skills and their passion for language and learning,” said Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica. “We are proud to celebrate the dedication and hard work of every contestant in this year’s competition.”
Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica is pleased to announce this year’s champions for both elementary and junior high spelling bees.
Pictured left to right is Darius Karanjawala, Ryan Sekera, Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, Victoria Cai and Dominik Masuda. Photo courtesy of Placer County Office of Education
Starting with grades 4 to 6, spelling bee champion is Ryan Sekera from Eureka Union School District. Their winning word was "Quantifiable". First runner up is Victoria Cai from Rocklin Unified School District. The second runner up is Dominik Masuda from Roseville City School District.
The third runner up is Darius Karanjawala from Eureka Union School District.
Moving to grades 7 to 8, spelling bee champion is Stella Wylie-Minor from Rocklin Unified School District. Their winning word was "Conducive". The first runner up is Daphne Elliott from Roseville City School District. Second runner up is Tyler Real from Rocklin Unified School District. Third runner up is Chase McDaniel from Rocklin Unified School District.
“It feels good,” said 2025 Elementary Spelling Bee Champion Ryan Sekera. The 2025 Junior High Champion, Stella Wylie-Minor, echoed Ryan’s statement, adding, “I’m excited but also extremely nervous. I just didn’t expect that I would push myself this far.”
Only 250 students in grades four through eight qualified in their local school districts to take the official written spelling test earlier this year. The top 10 scorers from each grade level were invited to compete in the annual oral competition at the Placer County Office of Education on March 12.
Both winners, Ryan Sekera and Stella Wylie-Minor, will represent Placer County at the California State Spelling Bee competition on April 26 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca.
Under the leadership of the Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, the Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) is the cornerstone of educational excellence. Serving over 75,000 students across 16 school districts and 16 charter schools, PCOE is committed to shaping future leaders through innovative programs and high-quality services. By prioritizing student success, supporting exceptional educators, and ensuring fiscal accountability, PCOE continues to uphold its legacy of educational success. For more information, please visit placercoe.org.
Moving to grades 7 to 8, spelling bee champion is Stella Wylie-Minor from Rocklin Unified School District. Their winning word was "Conducive". The first runner up is Daphne Elliott from Roseville City School District. Second runner up is Tyler Real from Rocklin Unified School District. Third runner up is Chase McDaniel from Rocklin Unified School District.
“It feels good,” said 2025 Elementary Spelling Bee Champion Ryan Sekera. The 2025 Junior High Champion, Stella Wylie-Minor, echoed Ryan’s statement, adding, “I’m excited but also extremely nervous. I just didn’t expect that I would push myself this far.”
Only 250 students in grades four through eight qualified in their local school districts to take the official written spelling test earlier this year. The top 10 scorers from each grade level were invited to compete in the annual oral competition at the Placer County Office of Education on March 12.
Both winners, Ryan Sekera and Stella Wylie-Minor, will represent Placer County at the California State Spelling Bee competition on April 26 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca.
Under the leadership of the Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, the Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) is the cornerstone of educational excellence. Serving over 75,000 students across 16 school districts and 16 charter schools, PCOE is committed to shaping future leaders through innovative programs and high-quality services. By prioritizing student success, supporting exceptional educators, and ensuring fiscal accountability, PCOE continues to uphold its legacy of educational success. For more information, please visit placercoe.org.
