Vedika Burman wins regional spelling bee sponsored by WITF and Pennon Education
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Staff
HARRISBURG, Pa — Vedika Burman, a 6th grader from Central Dauphin Middle School, is the champion of the Central Pennsylvania spelling bee sponsored by WITF and Pennon Education. The competition involving 34 spellers from local schools lasted 16 rounds.
Spellers competed at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology on Saturday, March 21. Kermit Leitner, retired principal of Susquehanna Township, served as pronouncer for the competition, and the judges – tasked with tracking every word and verifying spelling accuracy – were Ruth Keim (Education Program Coordinator at Pennon Education), Kathi Kunkel (Retired teacher from Mechanicsburg Middle School) and Dr. Andrea Kolb (Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer, WITF/Pennon Education). Spellers studied “Words of the Champions,” the 4,000-word list provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee, to prepare for the competition.
Burman now advances to compete in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee this May in Washington, D.C. The semifinals on May 27 and the finals on May 28 will be televised on ION and broadcast from the Bee’s new competition venue, DAR Constitution Hall.
In addition to qualifying for the national competition, Burman also wins these prizes:
- Britannica Online Premium, a one-year subscription for the premier online resource from Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, a one-year subscription for the official word source for all levels of competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
And prizes donated from local businesses to support the WITF Central PA Spelling Bee:
- Sprigs & Twigs of Joy - $250 Mastercard gift card
- Bumble Bee Hollow mini golf pass
- Chick-fil-A gift meal voucher courtesy of Chik-fil-A Lindle Road
- Dutch Gold Honey jar
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park admission passes
- Lancaster Science Factory admission passes
- Legion Hair Studio gift card
- 2 skating passes for Olympic Skating Center
- 5lb Hershey Bar from the Hershey Company
“The Central PA Spelling Bee is about much more than spelling every word correctly. It’s a celebration of community, perseverance, and the joy of learning. Each speller who steps up to the microphone demonstrates strong spelling ability, along with the confidence, courage, and determination that come from preparation and practice. Together, they form a community that values knowledge and strives for achievement.” said Jennifer Eley, Director of Education for Pennon Education.
WITF and Pennon Education have sponsored the regional bee event for 16 years. The competition encourages the exploration of words and lifelong curiosity, with a focus on helping students set goals and dedicate time to study and prepare. Participation in the bee program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and poise under pressure.
The 2026 Central PA Spelling Bee was supported by the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation and hosted by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee provides the list of words for the regional competition. The Bee reaches millions of students across the country and in other parts of the world with the classroom materials it provides to enrolled schools.
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About WITF Inc.
WITF is a trusted, valued supplier of programs and services that both satisfy and stimulate curiosity for residents in every community in the central Pennsylvania region. WITF broadcast services and educational programs reach audiences in over 19 counties in central Pennsylvania. The company comprises public broadcasting stations WITF TV, WITF 89.5 & 93.3, witf.org, Pennon Education, and Media Solutions. WITF is a Pennon organization; learn more at pennon.org.
About Pennon Education:
Pennon Education collaborates with educators in the community to enhance student learning inside and outside of the classroom. An example of this collaboration includes Pennon Education programs such as Explore in the Classroom, which provides students an opportunity to explore STEM concepts through high quality trade books, design thinking and scientific inquiry via PA STEELS standards. Pennon Education also provides Teacher Professional Learning to support teacher growth. Learn more at education.pennon.org.
About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. By inspiring the exploration of words, the Scripps National Spelling Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement and enriches communities.
Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).
Media contact:
Jennifer Eley: Jennifer_eley@witf.org
