EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two students from El Paso Independent School District have advanced to the 2026 National Spanish Spelling Bee competition.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Calocal, a student from Wiggs Middle School, and Shaheli De Silva, a student from the Young Women’s Academy, earned their spot to compete in the national competition, which will take place on July 10 and 11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Calocal (right), a student from Wiggs Middle School, and Shaheli De Silva, a student from the Young Women’s Academy (left), are competing during the Texas Spanish Spelling Bee. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Independent School District.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Calocal (right), a student from Wiggs Middle School, and Shaheli De Silva, a student from the Young Women’s Academy (left), are competing during the Texas Spanish Spelling Bee. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Independent School District.

Emiliano Ferrán Martínez Calocal (right) advances to the National Spanish Spelling Bee. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Independent School District.

Shaheli De Silva advances to the National Spanish Spelling Bee. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Independent School District.

Martinez Caloca finished sixth in the state competition and De Silva placed ninth, according to a news release by El Paso ISD.

Both students advanced to the national stage from a field of 47 competitors across Texas, all of whom qualified through campus, district and regional spelling bee tournaments.

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

According to EPISD, Martinez Calocal and De Silva tied for first place earlier this year at the district’s Spanish Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year.

Along with qualifying for nationals, De Silva has also earned the title of Regional English Spelling Bee Champion.

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