Blake Morris Wins Matteson School District 162 Spelling Bee

Richton Park, Ill.--January 29, 2026--Blake Morris, a sixth-grade student at Illinois School in Park Forest, earned first place at the Matteson School District 162 Spelling Bee held Jan. 28. Kaiden McCarter, a sixth grader from Sauk School in Richton Park, finished second in the annual competition.

Thirty top spellers from the district’s six schools, representing grades 3 through 8, competed in the event, which was held at the Field House at Southland College Prep Charter High School. Blake and Kaiden emerged as the final two competitors in Round 8 and advanced through 19 rounds before Blake secured the championship by correctly spelling “potassium” and the final word, “minuscule.”

“The District Spelling Bee is one of my favorite events,” said Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, superintendent of Matteson School District 162. “It is rewarding to see the energy and enthusiasm our students bring to learning. Strong spelling and vocabulary skills are vital to developing literacy.”

Blake, who has participated in the spelling bee since third grade, said persistence played a key role in his success. “Everybody gets a chance to win,” he said. “Even if you lose one year, you’ve still got the next year.” He prepared over the summer by studying independently and said he focused on doing his best despite feeling nervous.

Blake will represent Matteson School District 162 at the South Cook ISC Scripps Spelling Bee on March 5, 2026, at Southland. The top finishers there will advance to the Regional ISC Scripps Spelling Bee Championship on March 19 at E.F. Lindop School in Broadview. The regional winner will move on to the 101st National Spelling Bee, scheduled for May 24–29 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.