Jordan Intermediate Student Named Spelling Bee Champion

Friday, January 16, 2026

Jordan Intermediate School eighth grader Minh Do took home the championship trophy at GGUSD’s 38^th Annual Intermediate School Spelling Bee on January 14 after correctly spelling the word, echidna. The event was held at the Edgar District Meeting Center and marks the third year in a row that a student from Jordan Intermediate School has won the bee. The Jordan Intermediate team was coached by Teacher Andrina Hong.

Minh was joined in the competition by 39 other GGUSD intermediate school competitors, the top four spellers from each of the district’s 10 intermediate schools. Contestants were asked to spell such words such as perceptible, emissary, and tenement.

“Year after year, I am continually impressed by the commitment and hard work these scholars invest in preparing for the Spelling Bee,” said GGUSD Board of Education Vice President Lan Nguyen. “Through countless hours of practice on their own time, they’ve developed remarkable spelling skills and the confidence to take on a challenging stage.”

Joining Minh in the final round, and placing 2^nd, was Lake Intermediate School’s Kaitlyn Yun. Rounding out the top 10 spellers were Elliana Nguyen from McGarvin Intermediate School, third place; Joaquin Ablis from Fitz Intermediate Language Academy, fourth place; Daniyal Adil from Jordan Intermediate School, fifth place; Mauri Tuvera from Alamitos Intermediate School, sixth place; Quynh Vu from Doig Intermediate School, seventh place; Jacob Vo from McGarvin Intermediate School, eighth place; Katie Vu from McGarvin Intermediate School, ninth place; and Aric Huynh from Irvine Intermediate School, tenth place.

Trophies and medals were awarded by Board of Education President Bob Harden, Vice President Lan Nguyen and Trustee Teri Rocco.

The district champion and the nine runners-up will represent the district at the Orange County Spelling Bee, with the written segment scheduled for February 23 at the Orange County Department of Education.

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