Spelling “degage,” an adjective that means “relaxed,” Cambridge Lakes Charter School fifth-grader Pranav Kollu took home the crown at the Kane County Spelling Bee Finals back in March, earning a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee as the representative from Kane County.

And while the competition in Washington, D.C., was anything but degage, the 11-year-old student from Algonquin made Kane County proud.

Pranav and his family, sponsored by the Kane Excellence in Education Partnership and the Dunham Fund, traveled to Washington, D.C., where he competed against 518 students from around the United States for the crown of the 91st National Spelling Bee Champion from May 28 through June 1.

Pranav competed with the best spellers in the nation and was able to make it to the third round of the bee. He spelled his word in the second round, calcipotriene, correctly. He was eliminated in the third round, when he stumbled on the word conscientious.

Still, competing in the National Spelling Bee was a wonderful experience for Pranav and his family. Already, Pranav is looking forward to next year’s spelling bee.

“It was great, but very tense,” he said.

“The Kane County ROE is proud of Pranav and the Kollu family for their achievement and how they represented Kane County on the national stage,” Regional Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo said. “The ROE is grateful for the support of the Kane Excellence in Education and the Dunham Fund in sponsoring the Kane County Spelling Bee finalist each year as they represent Kane County at the National Spelling Bee.”

Pranav Kollu Profile

• Speller No. 183
• Algonquin, Illinois
• Sponsor: Kane County Regional Office of Education
• School: Cambridge Lakes Charter School
• Age, 11, 5th Grade

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About the Kane County Regional Office of Education

Led by Regional Superintendent of Schools Patricia Dal Santo, the Kane County ROE is located in Geneva and serves nine school districts. From teacher licensure assistance to professional development, the ROE’s mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership and perform regulatory functions. Learn more about the ROE’s offerings on Facebook, Twitter and by signing up for the semimonthly newsletter.