Crete-Monee Sixth Grader Advances to Scripps National Spelling Bee in D.C.
Crete-Monee Board of Education Meeting | April 14, 2026
Article Summary: The Crete-Monee Board of Education celebrated 11-year-old Kingston McGee, who recently became the first student in the middle school’s history to win the Will County Regional Spelling Bee.
Spelling Bee Champion Key Points:
-
Sixth-grader Kingston McGee will compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in late May.
-
He secured the regional championship title by correctly spelling the word “blastema.”
-
To prepare for the national stage, McGee practices daily by focusing on Greek and Latin root words.
The Crete-Monee Board of Education on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, formally recognized 11-year-old Kingston McGee, a sixth-grader who recently made local history by winning the 2026 Will County Regional Champion title for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
McGee’s victory marks the first time a student from Crete-Monee Middle School has been declared the regional winner, earning him an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., to compete on the national stage at the end of May. The prestigious national spelling bee will be broadcast live on the ION network.
During the meeting’s “Good News” administrative update, district officials praised McGee for his dedication and confidence throughout the competitive spelling rounds. At the county-level competition, he clinched his victory by correctly spelling the word “blastema.”
When asked by the board how he prepares for such high-level academic competitions, McGee detailed a rigorous, self-driven study regimen.
“I actually prepare myself,” McGee told the board. “I focus on root words in Greek and Latin. I do a word list with my family daily. Sometimes I do put it off, but a lot of the times I do it.”
District staff noted that after winning the building-level bee, McGee was provided an expansive new list of vocabulary to master, and he is now actively drilling an entirely new set of words for the national event in D.C. The board commended McGee and his family for their ongoing dedication, playfully suggesting they would host a watch party complete with popcorn when he makes his national television debut.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Committee Approves $317K Guardrail Maintenance Contract Amid Discussion on Installation Dangers
Will County Approves Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion to Support $355 Million Energy Investment
Federal Update: DHS Shutdown, War Powers, and Housing Legislation Dominate Washington
Will County Corporate Revenues Surpass Expectations, Igniting Debate Over Delinquent Tax Sales
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee for March 3, 2026
Will County Grants Extensions for Seven Solar and Commercial Projects Amid Permitting Delays
Monee Explores Federal and Regional Grants to Improve Village Walkability
Will County Committee Postpones Liquor, Ad-Hoc Committee: Gaming, and Tobacco Ordinance Updates Amid Extensive Revisions
Monee Approves Over $950,000 in Contractor Payouts for Road and Sidewalk Projects
Land Use Committee Approves 4.98-Megawatt Solar Facility on Eagle Lake Road Near Peotone
Will County Advances Nearly $1.5 Million in Right-of-Way and Improvement Agreements for Weber, Gougar, and Laraway Roads
Monee Trustees Push to Rezone Commercial Properties to Alleviate Red Tape for Homeowners
Public Works Committee: Approves $1.59 Million Contract for Scheer Road Bridge Replacement in Green Garden Township
Will County Board Backs $10 Million State Public Health Grant Increase Amid Funding Cuts
