Cherry Crest Elementary has successfully wrapped up its 2025–2026 Spelling Bee, celebrating weeks of preparation, perseverance, and outstanding spelling skills from our students. We are proud to announce that our 2025–2026 Cherry Crest Spelling Bee Champion is 5th grader Vidyut Balan, who will go on to represent Cherry Crest at the next level of competition. We wish him the very best of luck!
We would also like to give a special shout-out to our close runner-up, 1st grader Aadya Bhagwat, who delivered an incredibly strong performance in a very close and intense final round. Her determination and skill were truly impressive.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our grade-level finalists listed below. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence made this year’s Spelling Bee a wonderful success, and we are proud of their achievements.
List of Spelling Bee Finalist for 2025/2026 at Cherry Crest
GRADE FIRST NAME LAST NAME TEACHER
Grade 1 Aadya Bhagwat Depaola, Heather
Grade 1 Archer Xu Depaola, Heather
Grade 1 Ethan Wong Depaola, Heather
Grade 1 Sameera Prabhu Applegate, Emily
Grade 1 Yashwitha Aranganathan Hayfield
Grade 1 Diya Agrawal Hayfield
Grade 2 Agni Arun Nolan, Macy
Grade 2 Dhanvika Gajjala Rajesh Awad, Sabreena
Grade 2 Erica He Gibbs, Teresa
Grade 2 Jasper Chan Nolan, Macy
Grade 3 Aadya Abhishek Gilbert, Patricia
Grade 3 Alisa Malova Tatterson, Maryann
Grade 3 Arnav Patil Tatterson, Maryann
Grade 3 Joshna Kolamala Pederson, Melinda
Grade 3 Nityam Shah Wells, Robyn
Grade 4 Aarush Shukla Iniguez, Erlinda
Grade 4 Ishani Debnath Lee, JI EUN
Grade 4 Nina Kuan Iniguez, Erlinda
Grade 4 Rigved Prabhu Chariton
Grade 4 Saanchi Sharan Iniguez, Erlinda
Grade 5 Aarav Kasula Hemker, Whitney
Grade 5 Adrija Shukla Hemker, Whitney
Grade 5 Akshara Nandwani Hemker, Whitney
Grade 5 Delisha Bahal Sung, Susie
Grade 5 Jordan Shim Sung, Susie
Grade 5 Vidyut Balan Sung, Susie
Thank you to all the students, families, and staff who supported and participated in this exciting event. We look forward to another year of celebrating learning and achievement at Cherry Crest!
Donations to the PTSA supports this wonderful learning experience for our students. All Cherry Crest students who are PTSA members can participate in the Spelling Bee for free every year.
