Buzzing in Words: New Mexico Spelling Bee

Eleanor Shuler, a sixth grader at Lindsey Steiner Elementary in Portales, center, battles her nerves as Hannah Li spells a word during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee.

Keith Lee, 13, an eighth grader at Albuquerque Academy, wins first place during the 2025 New Mexico State Spelling Bee on Saturday inside an auditorium at the Albuquerque Journal headquarters.

Joshua Bala, 14, eighth-grader at Mandela International Magnet, spells a word during the 2025 New Mexico State Spelling Bee on Saturday afternoon.

Keith Lee, 13, an eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, competes during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. He won first place and will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Keith Lee, 13, an eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, wins first place during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Lee will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Keith Lee, 13, an eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, yawns during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. He won first place and will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Eleanor Shuler, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Lindsey Steiner Elementary, competes during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Joshua Bala, 14, eighth-grader at Mandela International Magnet, during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Bala placed second.

Bhavithsai Gurram, 13, an eighth grader at Academy for Technology & Classics, competes during the 2025 New Mexico State Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal auditorium on Saturday. Gurram took fourth place.

Keith Lee, 13, eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, left, and Bhavithsai Gurram, 13, eighth-grader at Academy for Technology & Classics, compete during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Lee won first place and Gurram took fourth.

Christy Neilson, 9, a fourth grader at Rehoboth Christian, is kissed by her mother, Erin Neilson, after she misspelled a word during the 2025 New Mexico State Spelling Bee.

Eleanor Shuler, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Lindsey Steiner Elementary, battles her nerves during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Hannah Li, 12, a seventh-grader at Los Alamos Middle School, spells a word during the 2025 New Mexico State Spelling Bee in Albuquerque on Saturday. Li won third place.

Keith Lee, 13, an eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, reacts after he wins first place during the 2025 New Mexico Spelling Bee at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Lee will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

From the left, Eleanor Shuler, 12, sixth-grader at Lindsey Steiner Elementary, Hannah Li, 12, seventh-grader at Los Alamos Middle School, Joshua Bala, 14, eighth-grader at Mandela International Magnet, Keith Lee, 13, eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, Susheer Paladugu, 13, eighth-grader at Albuquerque Academy, with the Albuquerque Journal's mascot, AJ News Hero.

Chancey Bush

Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Photographer

Published March 29, 2025 - 4:07 p.m. Modified March 29, 2025 - 4:07 p.m.

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