(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – June 18, 2026) — Two El Paso ISD students have advanced to the 2026 National Spanish Spelling Bee after excelling in state-level competition. They will represent both El Paso ISD and the state of Texas as they compete against top Spanish spellers from across the country. The competition is a rigorous academic contest that challenges participants in Spanish vocabulary, spelling, and language proficiency.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Caloca, a student at Wiggs Middle School, and Shaheli De Silva, a student at Young Women's Academy, earned spots in the national competition after placing among the top 10 finishers at the 2026 Texas State Spanish Spelling Bee.

Martínez Caloca finished sixth in the state competition, while De Silva placed ninth. Both students advanced from a field of 47 competitors from across Texas who qualified through campus, district, and regional spelling bee competitions.

"We are incredibly proud of Emiliano and Shaheli for this outstanding accomplishment," said Chief Academic Officer Al Garcia. "Their hard work, perseverance, and passion for learning have earned them the opportunity to compete on a national stage.”

The students are no strangers to success. Earlier this year, Martínez Caloca and De Silva tied for first place at the El Paso ISD Spanish Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year, demonstrating their dedication to bilingualism, literacy, and academic excellence.

De Silva has demonstrated extraordinary linguistic talent this year. Along with qualifying for the National Spanish Spelling Bee, she earned the title of Regional English Spelling Bee Champion, a rare accomplishment that highlights her exceptional proficiency in both languages.

The National Spanish Spelling Bee will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico from July 10-11.