A Branson Student is heading to the Nation's Capital to take part in the Annual Spelling Bee Championship Competition.

The full release from the Branson School District is below:

Cedar Ridge Intermediate sixth grader Emmalyn Franks has earned her place on the national stage after winning the A.C.E.S 9th Annual Regional
Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 7, in Rolla, Mo. 

Franks secured first place with the word “ozone,” earning the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer in Washington, D.C. Ten Branson elementary and intermediate students competed in the Regional Bee.

This was Franks’ third time competing at the regional level. She previously qualified in third and fifth grade, each time representing the Cedar Ridge campus, but had not placed in the top three until this year. 

“I remember when the judges said ‘Correct,’ I genuinely didn’t know what to do, or how to react,” said Franks. “It honestly took about 10 minutes of my mother repeatedly telling me, ‘No, you won, I swear,’ and me realizing the trophy was in my hands before I actually believed I was going to nationals in D.C.”

Franks also credited several teachers who helped spark her interest in language and supported her preparation. 

“I’d also like to thank my first grade teacher, Mrs. Poor, because she taught me what a prefix was, which helped me greatly,” she said. “And Mrs. Alms, the CRI librarian, for opening up the library in the mornings as a spectacular study environment.” 

The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee will be held in May in Washington, D.C.