Hassan Zanoon Wins 2026 Alabama State Spelling Bee
Madison County student earns top honor and advances to national competition in Washington, D.C.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham hosted the 2026 Alabama State Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21, at the College of Arts and Sciences’ University Hall auditorium. Fifty-three students from across the state competed, and Hassan Zanoon of Madison County claimed the title of Alabama State Spelling Bee Champion with the word panjandrum.
As the winner, Zanoon earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he will represent Alabama at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, scheduled for May 24-29. This year marked the fourth consecutive year UAB hosted the event, continuing a tradition of promoting academic excellence.
The Alabama Power Foundation served as the event sponsor of Power of Words, Powering Bright Ideas,” underscoring its longstanding commitment to educational advancement. Through this initiative, the foundation helps to foster academic achievement, expand learning opportunities for children across Alabama and help prepare students for success in and beyond the classroom. The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation also joined as a supporting sponsor.
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