Once the dust settled—and the final word was correctly spelled—Niyati Diada emerged as the champion of the Van Holten Primary School 2026 4th Grade Scripps Spelling Bee.
That dust settled after a large number of 4th Graders participated in this prestigious event, according to Susan Harwick, the Elementary Teaching Specialist and Testing Coordinator at Van Holten, who coordinated the contest.
Nine students had reached the final round on the morning of Friday, January 30.
And before a large turnout of staff, students and family in the school’s Multi-Purpose Room, Niyati came through to achieve the honor as Van Holten’s 2026 Spelling Bee champion.
Shivansh (Shiv) Chigurupati placed second and was named Van Holten's alternate to the regionals.
Niyati will compete in the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee on March 8 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Shiv will attend as the alternate should Niyati be unable to compete in South Orange.
This year’s finalists were Nelson (Joey) Avery, Shivansh (Shiv) Chigurupati, Niyati Diada, Julianne Fasola, Edith George, Olivia Jendza, Krish Karthikeyan, Aubrey Scriffano, and Isa Siddiqui.
“The Scripps Spelling Bee at Van Holten Primary School was an exciting event this year! More than half of our 4th Grade students participated, practicing and preparing for many weeks both at school and at home. Students competed in practice Bee-Offs and then classroom Bee-Offs to determine our finalists,” said Ms. Harwick, who was named Van Holten’s Governor’s Educational Services Professional Award winner for this school year.
Ms. Harwick applauded the students who competed—and won.
“Congratulations to all of our participants and finalists, and a special congratulations to Niyati and Shiv! “