Thejatshuu Rutsa wins 11th Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2026

Morung Express NewsKohima | October 21Thejatshuu Rutsa, Class IX student of Living Tree School, Kohima was declared champion of the 11th edition of Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2026 on Wednesday evening at the closing function of the two-day Championship organised by Fountain Club in collaboration with the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT).The Nagaland Spelling Bee Champion correctly spelled the words – “kriegspiel”, “voluptuary”, “kitchenette”, and “incunabula.” She was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 80,000. Thejaneizo Linyü, Class IX student of Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School, Kohima, and Caroline Lotha, Class IX student of Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur were placed in the second and third place and received a cash prize of Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively while Lenino Kaimo, Class VIII student of St Paul School Phesama secured the fourth position and was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 20,000. The ‘Quarter Finalist’ title were given to Shuziini Catherine Chario of Model Higher Secondary School Kohima, Kellika Zhimo of Grace Academy Dimapur, Thanggunhao Thomsong of Grace Academy Dimapur and Mharoni Yanthan of Stella Higher Secondary School, Kohima. ‘Young Speller’ award was given to 12-year-old Seneino Laura of St Paul School, Phesama while ‘Promising Speller’ was awarded to 11-year-old Thejasevono Meyase of PM Shri GMS, New Ministers’ Hill, Kohima. They all received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each along with citations and trophies. Prizes were presented by Moalong Imty, Joint Director, SCERT, during the closing function that was held at SCERT Kohima on October 21. Reflecting on the Championship, Daniel Thong, Vice-Principal, SCERT shared that they have come a long way since the inception of the Championship. He termed Fountain Club- the organisers as the ‘guiding intellectuals of our society’, whose hearts, he added, beat for the education of the society. He said that the department is proud to have the partnership with them.Stating that he was especially proud of the spellers, he also observed that there has been so much improvement over the past editions. Highlights of the closing function included words of gratitude by Metsisieto Zhasa, Chairman of Fountain Club, Kohima while Alila Chang was the compere. The panel of officials included Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Kekhrieneinuo Sekhose, Priskali H Sumi and B Sonian Jemphang as judges, Dr Sekholü Tetseo, Dr Aneile Puro, Vipenu Noswe, Asano Zashümo and Emma Thonger as pronouncers, Keduwe-u Tsuhah as chief coordinator and Vipopal Kintso, Rokovikho Chale, and Neizokhotuo Belho as members of the Jury Board.