The grand finale of the third edition of the Crunchies Spelling Bee Competition, themed “Dare to Spell, Dare to Win,” held yesterday, May 16th, 2026 at the Leadership Centre, House on the Rock, Aba-Owerri Road, drawing students, parents, teachers and education stakeholders in a celebration of literacy and academic excellence.
The annual competition, sponsored by Crunchies Fried Chicken, has continued to grow as one of the leading literacy initiatives for secondary school students between the ages of 13 and 17 in Aba.
A total of 16 contestants from different secondary schools qualified for the grand finale after emerging from preliminary rounds.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Rejoice Atuegwu, who is one of the judges said the competition was designed to encourage reading culture among young people while improving students’ spelling ability, vocabulary development, communication skills and confidence.
She noted that beyond the prizes, the initiative seeks to prepare students for future academic and leadership opportunities through discipline, critical thinking and healthy competition. She later read out the criteria for judgement.
Following intense spelling drills, vocabulary tests and pronunciation exercises, eight contestants advanced to the semi-finals, while four eventually made it to the final stage of the competition.
At the end of the keenly contested finale, contestant No. 111, 13-year-old JSS3 student, Miss Grace Ihunanyachi Ogechukwu of Edubase International Schools, emerged overall winner and received a cash prize of ₦1.8 million.
The second position went to contestant No. 97, Miss Fred Princess Michelle, a 16-year-old SS2 student of Royal Rock Academy, who received ₦1 million.
Contestant No. 58, Miss Ogbonna Precious Chidera of Sacred Heart of Jesus Secondary School, came third and received ₦700,000, while contestant No. 151, a 16-year-old SS3 student of NINLAN International Secondary School, finished in fourth place with a prize of ₦500,000.
Other contestants received consolation prizes of ₦150,000 each alongside certificates of participation.
The Managing Director of Crunchies Fried Chicken, Mrs. Muka Ohaeji, who presented awards and prizes to the winners, said the company remained committed to supporting education and youth development through impactful initiatives.
According to her, literacy and education remain vital tools for national growth and social transformation.
“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop intellectually and discover their full potential.
The Crunchies Spelling Bee Competition is part of our commitment to investing in the future of Nigerian children through education and academic empowerment,” she said.
Ohaeji commended the participants for their courage and determination, describing all the contestants as winners for demonstrating academic excellence and confidence on stage.
She also encouraged parents and schools to continue supporting students in developing reading habits and pursuing excellence in their studies.
In her response after receiving the top prize, Miss Grace Ihunanyachi Ogechukwu attributed her victory to diligence, determination, resilience and God’s grace.
“This competition has taught me the importance of hard work, consistency and confidence. I spent several months studying dictionaries, learning new words and practising every day after school. Winning today is a dream come true for me,” she said.
She thanked Crunchies Fried Chicken, her parents and her school for their support and encouragement throughout the competition.
The winner further urged other students to remain focused on their academic goals.
“I want young people to understand that they can achieve greatness if they stay committed to their studies. Competitions like this help students discover their potential and believe in themselves,” she added.
In his vote of thanks, Regional Manager of Crunchies Fried Chicken Aba, Mr. Blessing Nwaeze, appreciated the students, teachers and parents for their dedication throughout the competition.
He commended the contestants for their outstanding performances and encouraged other students to emulate the spirit of hard work, discipline and academic excellence displayed during the competition.
Education stakeholders at the event also called for increased private sector participation in educational development, noting that literacy-focused initiatives would positively shape the future of the country.
Highlights of the event included presentation of prizes and certificates, dance performances, entertainment sessions and group photographs.
Dignitaries present at the event included officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency team led by Mrs. Agatha Egwu, members of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Crunchies Fried Chicken team and other invited guests.
