Peoria Public Library is proud and excited to announce it is an official 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee
regional sponsor for Central Illinois, giving local students an opportunity to participate in America’s longest-running educational competition.
This marks the inaugural year for Peoria Public Library as an official Scripps National
Spelling Bee regional sponsor, covering 8 counties and 300 eligible schools. The City of
Peoria, Peoria County and Peoria Public Schools District 150 are key partners.
Schools, including homeschoolers in the following counties, have until Jan. 31 to enroll at
spellingbee.com. Eligible counties include: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall,
Mason, Putnam and Stark.
Peoria Public Library hosting a Regional Spelling Bee in March means the winner from our
8-county area will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. in May, where
they will have the opportunity to compete for the Scripps Cup.
“We are extremely proud to step into this role, one that has been vacant for several years,”
said Peoria Public Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton. “The Scripps National
Spelling Bee ignites a love for learning through its unique experiences and opportunities,
celebrates and builds confidence in those who are intellectually curious, and fosters an
inclusive and diverse community. So do we. So, of course, as aligned as we are, it makes
perfect sense for us to step into this role.”
