Two Frisco ISD eighth graders are headed to the Dallas Regional Spelling Bee after finishing in the top four at the Collin County bee.

Saranya Narra of Maus and Thulasi Umasankar of Scoggins were among 53 competitors, grades 3-8, who battled it out for nine grueling rounds at the Collin County Spelling Bee.

Saranya and Thulasi will join other North Texas spelling champs March 7 at the Dallas Regional Spelling Bee at the WFAA studios in Dallas. The bee will air on the free streaming app WFAA+ on May 9. 

Jacques Bailly, the official head pronouncer of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, will preside over the DRSB as this year’s pronouncer. 

The top two spellers from the Dallas bee will advance to the elite Scripps National Spelling Bee in May for the chance to win the national title.

Congratulations to all the FISD participants who competed in the Collin County Spelling Bee, and best of luck to Saranya and Thulasi!

- Rachel McReynolds