Eighth Grader Wins San Diego County Spelling Bee

SAN DIEGO, CA — An eighth grade student was crowned champion Thursday of the 2025 San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee.

Duaa Ouznali from Bright Horizon Academy in San Diego will represent the county at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in May in Maryland.

Duaa won the countywide competition by correctly spelling "droshky,'" a public carriage used in Russia.

"Our young spelling bee competitors showed their determination, skill and love of literacy at the competition today," said Dr. Gloria Ciriza, the county's superintendent of schools. "The County Office of Education is so proud to support this incredible event and cheer on each student who won at their schools."

The San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee celebrates school-site spelling bee winners in sixth through eighth grades from public and independent schools throughout the county

The competition began with 93 spellers at the Jackie Robinson YMCA in San Diego.

There were only two spellers left by the 13th round. They went back and forth for another 14 rounds, before Duaa won the competition. Vann Torio from The O'Farrell Charter School in San Diego was named runner-up and will serve as an alternative in the national bee if Duaa is unable to compete.