CARROLLTON, GA — Several rounds unfolded Wednesday afternoon before the Carrollton City Schools 2026 Spelling Bee champion was decided, with sixth grader Seth Thomaston earning the title in this year's competition.

Volunteer Fae Kelley has officiated the district spelling bee for more than 30 years, and she chose to start this year’s competition with a trivia question for the participants. She presented a list of elevated vocabulary words and challenged students to identify which modern writer used them in his or her works. Students pondered poets and novelists, but, to the students’ surprise, Kelley revealed the answer to be Taylor Swift. She invited them to consider the impact a thorough vocabulary can have, even through authors like the songwriters they know. 

After capturing their attention, the spelling bee began. As the rigor escalated, the competitive nature of the contestants did as well. Each student eagerly focused on every letter as they spelled. 

The final rounds unfolded in a unique scenario of two runners-up: fifth grader Shuvana K.C. and eighth grader Belinda Martinez Romero. Seth eventually claimed the victory when he correctly spelled “guttural.” He is the son of Shon and Sharon Thomaston. 

The grade-level qualifiers who competed against the winner and runners-up were fourth grader Daniela Campos Belmares, fifth grader Jude Caubo, seventh graders Hunter Chen and Lily Lovvorn, and eighth grader Zefira Rivera Manon. Three other students, fourth grader Michael Colbert, sixth grader Karina Garcia, and eighth grader Amaiya Deshields, placed in their school-level competitions. 

This year’s judges were Paula Holmes-Solomon, Susan Colgate, and Don North, newly elected City Council member.

Seth advances to the Region 4 spelling bee Saturday, Feb. 28, at Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur, Georgia. The Georgia Association of Educators sponsors the regional and state bees. 
 

The winner of the 2026 Carrollton City Schools spelling bee is sixth grader Seth Thomaston, right, pictured with CMS Principal Dr. Eric Simmons, left. 

The Carrollton City Schools district spelling bee resulted in sixth grader Seth Thomaston being declared the winner, with two runners-up. Pictured from left are CMS Principal Dr. Eric Simmons, runner-up Belinda Martinez Romero, winner Seth, runner-up Shuvana K.C., and CUES Principal Tabitha Walker. 
 

Carrollton City Schools 2026 Spelling Bee participants, pictured back row from left, are Lily Lovvorn, Hunter Chen, Belinda Martinez Romero, Shuvana K.C., and Seth Thomaston. Pictured front row, from left, are Jude Caubo, Zefira Rivera Manon, and Daniela Campos Belmares.

CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton High School senior Marie Fujita-Block’s outstanding academic achievement resulted in her selection as the 2026 STAR Student. As part of this recognition, the STAR Student selects a teacher to honor who has been influential in his or her academic career. Marie chose CHS science teacher Jennifer Sewell as her STAR Teacher. 

The STAR student award is presented to the graduating senior who posts the highest SAT score of his or her cohort and is in the top 10 percent of the class. Marie is the daughter of Mr. Phillip Block and Dr. Megumi Fujita. 

During a surprise classroom visit on Jan. 15, Marie, along with CHS Principal Ian Lyle, shared her announcement with Sewell and celebrated this honor.

“Marie is an incredibly accomplished student who consistently raises the bar in her studies. I look forward to witnessing all of the ways that she will continue to be successful in the future,” Lyle said. “Mrs. Sewell is an educator who is devoted to giving her best to her students, and being chosen as STAR Teacher is a testament to her passion for teaching and mentorship.”

Marie said she chose Sewell for her intentionality and kindness, always making the extra effort to connect with her about her interests by sending her scientific articles about a topic they discussed or following up with her about a dance performance. 

“Her classes [AP Biology and AP Environmental Science] were extremely important to developing my passion for the wonder of life and the environment,” said Marie. “She has been so encouraging in multiple facets of my high school life, from college applications to music. I’m so grateful that I got to take her class and continue to appreciate the care she continues to show me even now.”

As a junior, Marie was named the Wofford Scholar Recipient and received the Presbyterian College Junior Fellows Award and the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit Award. 
Throughout her years at Carrollton City Schools, she has excelled in her academic and creative pursuits. Marie is a dedicated member of the Carrollton High School band program while balancing a rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) course schedule and her hobbies outside of school, dance, and photography. This fall, she was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Commended Student. 

Sharing an appreciation for creativity and science, Sewell said she is honored to have been chosen by Marie. 

“She is a young woman who is truly passionate about learning, pays incredible attention to detail, and finds joy in studying the smallest parts of systems,” Sewell said. “Marie is inspiring, knowledgeable, and highly respected by her peers and the teachers at Carrollton High School.”

The pair will now compete at the regional level with hopes of advancing to the state competition this spring. The STAR Student/Teacher program is sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.
 

Marie Fujita-Block was chosen as Carrollton High School’s 2026 STAR Student. She chose Jennifer Sewell as her STAR Teacher. The honorees pose after receiving their certificates with CHS Assistant Principal Heather Elliott and Principal Ian Lyle.

Marie surprised Sewell with the STAR Teacher recognition and flowers, as CHS Principal Ian Lyle made the announcement. 

CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton Elementary School teacher Xaviera Kight took her passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and applied it to write her first children’s book. Debuting as the top new release in its category on Amazon, “Take Up Space” features concepts of astronomy while challenging young readers to be critical thinkers. 
 
As an educator, Kight constantly utilizes creative ways to explain new ideas to students and present material in innovative ways. In her STEM classroom, she strives to make learning an adventure. From making scientific observations on class nature walks to designing engaging experiments, students are encouraged to explore new learning spaces and ask thoughtful questions.

As a mother, she imagined a book that articulated the fascinations found in the world of science, coupled with motivating personal affirmations. Unable to find what she was looking for on the market, she decided to write it herself. 

“STEM education has always been a true passion of mine because it invites children to see the world with curiosity, confidence, and wonder,” said Kight. “I wanted to write a children’s book that reflects the awe I see in my son and my students every day, one that celebrates science while also reminding children that they are capable, valued, and perfectly placed in the world.”

Throughout her career, Kight has excelled as a teacher leader at the school and state levels, including being named a Don Cargill STEM Scholar, and she is nationally STEM certified through the National Institute for STEM Education. 

When she was recently recognized at the Carrollton Board of Education meeting, CES Assistant Principal Dr. Ryan Mckinnon noted that her book reinforces the same ideals she brings to her classroom every single day: “empowerment, confidence, and the joy of exploration.” 

“This accomplishment reflects Mrs. Kight’s deep commitment to inspiring students to ask big questions, dream boldly, and believe that they belong in every learning space, including STEM,” said Dr. Mckinnon. 

CES Principal Courtney Walker supports teachers pursuing their passions and celebrates Kight’s achievement. 

“Mrs. Kight is modeling the power of lifelong learning we instill in our young Trojans by becoming a published author. We are so proud of her work, and it has been incredible to see students engage with the book, knowing their teacher wrote it,” Walker said. “Supporting our staff as they pursue their professional and creative goals is a priority at Carrollton Elementary. This milestone is a perfect example of the talent and dedication that define the Trojan Nation.”
 

The Carrollton Board of Education honored CES STEM teacher Xaviera Kight at the December meeting, honoring the release of her first children’s book. Pictured from left are CES Assistant Principal JaDechia Reid, Kight, and CES Assistant Principal Dr. Ryan Mckinnon.