photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Maci Perrins, 2025 Douglas County Spelling Bee winner, is pictured on Feb. 8, 2025.

The winner of the Douglas County Spelling Bee tied for second place at the state bee Saturday in Wichita.

Maci Perrins of Southwest Middle School, a three-time winner of the Douglas County bee, lost the state contest to Samuel Riley of Butler County, who claimed the championship by spelling the word “columbarium” correctly. A columbarium is a structure of vaults lined with recesses for urns.

Riley, who attends Andover Middle School, now advances to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer near Washington, D.C. This year is the 100th anniversary of the national bee.

Perrins tied for second at state with two other students, Jiya Bhavsar, of Briairwood Elementary in Johnson County; and Joshua Moser of St, Marys Grade School in Pottawatomie County.

The Douglas County bee is hosted by the Lawrence Journal-World.