Branson Junior High student wins return trip to Scripps National Spelling Bee
For the second year in a row, Kunal Patel has won a trip the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The Branson Junior High seventh grader competed last year, at the 96th annual competition, and tied for 46th place.
Patel recently won a return trip after winning the 2025 Association for Children's Education Sponsorship or the A.C.E.S. Regional Missouri Spelling Bee.
The regional contest was March 1 in Rolla. He won by correctly spelling the word "peony."
The 97th national spelling bee is May 27-29 in Washington D.C.
More: Why a Springfield business owner says his visit to Parkview High gave him hope
'I'm so excited and proud to represent Branson again at the National Spelling Bee,' Patel said, in a news release. 'It's been a lot of hard work, but I love the challenge and I am grateful for the support of my parents, friends and teachers.'
Patel was one of seven Branson students who competed in the regional contest this year. The others were Jada Kelley, third place; Bodhi Gerken, fourth place; Kaival Patel, ninth place; and Griffin Taylor, Emmalyn Franks and Marissa Livingston.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Branson seventh-grader Kunal Patel returning to national spelling bee
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