Let me send a big congratulation to Tsaile Public School 8th grader Koen Harvey for his outstanding achievement winning the 2026 Navajo Times Spelling Bee.
Koen won in the final round at the Phil L. Thomas Performing Arts Center in Shiprock, Arizona, on March 5, 2026, by spelling the word “folate.” Because of Koen, I learned that folate is a salt or ester of folic acid.
He captured his winning moment best when he said, “It was like something really heavy lifted off your shoulder.”
His school and many other have this young man as their 2026 spelling‑bee champion, noting his composure and poise under pressure.
This May, Koen will continue his journey to Washington, D.C., where he will compete in the prestigious national Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Winning a competitive spelling bee takes hours of hard work, and Koen’s perseverance truly paid off on that stage. We are all proud of you, Koen, and all that you have accomplished. We’ll be cheering for you when you go to Washington!
Nizhóní, Koen! Keep striving for excellence and continue to make your Navajo people proud.
– Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
