After 16 intense rounds of competition, Bayshore Elementary fifth-grader Caiden Carr stepped up to the microphone and carefully spelled out the final word — “a-u-t-h-o-r” — securing the championship title at the La Porte ISD 2026 District Spelling Bee on Feb. 11. 

The annual event brought together 30 of the district’s top elementary and junior high spellers, each earning their spot after advancing through campus-level competitions. From the opening round, it was clear the students had put in countless hours of preparation. Challenging vocabulary words steadily narrowed the field, but the competition remained tight well into the later rounds. 

Carr, representing Bayshore Elementary, maintained his composure as the rounds progressed. As the bee stretched past a dozen rounds, the difficulty intensified and the pressure mounted. Still, Carr demonstrated focus and confidence beyond his years, ultimately securing the winning word in the 16th round. 

Finishing runner-up was Ethan Salazar of Heritage Elementary, who delivered a strong performance throughout the afternoon. Sevrin Galano earned third place, rounding out the top three in what judges described as an exceptionally competitive field. 

With the district title in hand, Carr will advance to the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March, where he will compete against top spellers from across the region for a chance to move on to higher levels of competition. 

District officials praised all 30 contestants for their dedication and preparation, noting that the high level of performance was evident from the very first round. For Carr and his fellow competitors, the 2026 La Porte ISD Spelling Bee was not only a test of vocabulary, but a showcase of perseverance, academic excellence and school pride.