January 30, 2026 – Amarillo ISD students claimed the top three spots in this year’s Happy State Bank Potter County Spelling Bee. Bonham Middle School student Kai Paetzold officially got the last word to win the bee. Easton Lichtie from De Zavala Middle School was the runner-up, and Hussein Al Nassir from Woodlands Elementary finished third. Nearly 50 word wizards from public and private elementary and middle schools competed. Kai will compete in the regional spelling bee later this month.