(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – July 17, 2026) — Two El Paso ISD students are preparing to represent the district and the state of Texas on a national stage after earning spots in the 2026 National Spanish Spelling Bee.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Caloca, a Wiggs Middle School student, and Shaheli De Silva, a Young Women's Academy student, will compete against some of the nation's top Spanish spellers July 10-11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The students qualified for the national competition after placing among the top 10 finishers at the 2026 Texas State Spanish Spelling Bee, held in June in El Paso. The statewide competition featured 47 students in grades 4-8 from across Texas who advanced through campus, district, and regional contests.

Martínez Caloca finished sixth in the state competition, while De Silva placed ninth, earning both students invitations to compete at the national level.

Their advancement continues a remarkable tradition of excellence. Earlier this year, the two students tied for first place at the El Paso ISD Spanish Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year, showcasing their dedication to language learning and academic achievement.

The National Spanish Spelling Bee brings together top competitors from across the country and challenges students to demonstrate their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary, spelling rules, and language structure in a high-pressure academic setting.

For Martínez Caloca and De Silva, the opportunity represents the culmination of years of preparation, practice, and a shared passion for language.