ALA District Spelling Bee Champions Shine: Four Students, Four Campuses, One Standard of Excellence

On January 13, our ALA District Spelling Bee reminded everyone in the room why American Leadership Academy puts so much value on academics that challenge students to rise.

There’s something different about a spelling bee when you’re watching it live. You can hear the pause before a student answers. You can feel the pressure in the room. And you can see, in real time, the confidence that comes from preparation. These students didn’t just show up and hope for the best—they came ready.

We’re proud to recognize the top four spellers from this year’s competition:

• 1st Place: Samuel Gurney — ALA Ironwood Elementary
• 2nd Place: Nana Boakye-Yiadom — ALA Gilbert South Elementary
• 3rd Place: Evangeline Suah — ALA Anthem South High School
• 4th Place: Vincent Kumar — ALA Gilbert North Elementary

That list says a lot about what’s happening across our schools. This wasn’t one campus having a strong day. This was ALA students from different grades and different locations stepping up and winning—because they were coached well, supported well, and held to a standard that brings out their best.

At ALA, we talk often about building confident learners. This is what it looks like. A student stands at a microphone, listens carefully, thinks clearly, and makes a decision with everyone watching. That moment is bigger than spelling. It’s poise. It’s discipline. It’s the ability to perform under pressure—skills students will use for the rest of their lives.

We also want to recognize every student who participated. If you’ve ever competed in something like this, you know the truth: making it to the stage takes courage. Students walked away sharper than they started, and that’s the point. Growth doesn’t always look flashy, but it always shows up when students are willing to try something hard.

Spelling bees are one of the many ways ALA creates real opportunities for students to stretch themselves. Parents want a school where their child is challenged, supported, and celebrated. Students want a school where effort is noticed and excellence is normal. Nights like this prove that ALA is doing exactly that.

Congratulations again to Samuel, Nana, Evangeline, and Vincent for representing your schools so well. And thank you to the teachers, families, and staff who made the event happen—your behind-the-scenes work matters more than most people realize.

We’re proud of what our students are accomplishing, and we’re just getting started.