Mayor, council recognize Alabama spelling bee champion

April 02,2024

Mayor William E. Cooper Tuesday recognized Ayden Nguyen for winning the Alabama State Spelling Bee.

Nguyen, a 5th grader at Hillcrest Elementary School, competed against 52 students from across Alabama at the competition in Birmingham. After 17 rounds and almost four hours later, he won the title with the word ‘dysphagia.’

Nguyen advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee next month in Washington, DC. He and his family will have their expenses paid for the trip by the Alabama District of Kiwanis Foundation.