Kootenai Classical's Miller, Adams win Inland Northwest Spelling Bee, advance to D.C.

Chase Miller of Kootenai Classical Academy emerged as champion of the Inland Northwest Spelling Bee Saturday, with classmate Harper Adams finishing as runner-up; both will represent the region at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

North Idaho College hosted the 23rd Inland Northwest Spelling Bee Saturday afternoon, a regional contest organized by the Coeur d’Alene School District that drew about 160 contestants in grades four through eight from five northern Idaho counties and six eastern Washington counties. Nearly four hours of rounds narrowed the field until two students from the same school faced off in a tense finale.

The final rounds played out between sixth-grader Chase Miller and seventh-grader Harper Adams, both of Kootenai Classical Academy. Competitors were eliminated on words such as "bittern" and "capstan" earlier in the competition as the contest tightened. North Idaho College reported Miller was "declared the champion to an explosion of confetti and applause" after the final match, while onlookers noted the back-and-forth between teammates created an electric atmosphere. Alexandra Miller, Chase’s mother, said, "It was just amazing to watch the back and forth between the two."

Chase Miller celebrated the win with a succinct assessment: "I'm feeling really good now." Harper Adams said she was already looking ahead to the nation’s capital: "I'm really excited for the opportunity to go to D.C.," and added, "It's such an iconic place; I'll get to see all the monuments and things we always hear and read about."

Regional prizes include a $1,000 cash award to Miller courtesy of the Idaho Character Foundation and a gold trophy for first place; Harper Adams took home a silver trophy for second. North Idaho College is also awarding a $2,000 scholarship to first place and $1,000 scholarships to both second and third place. Both students now head to the 101st Scripps National Spelling Bee, where a $50,000 first-place prize awaits.

Beyond trophies and travel, the results underscore investments in youth enrichment across Kootenai County and the Inland Northwest. Scholarships attached to the competition reduce financial barriers to advanced learning and highlight local institutions - schools, the Coeur d’Alene School District, and North Idaho College - that support academic opportunity. The contest also offered a moment to honor long-standing contributors: Division Chair of Communications Professor Joe Jacoby was thanked on stage for 18 years as pronouncer and for his continued support as he prepares to retire later this year.

For Kootenai County readers, Miller and Adams’ advancement is both a point of community pride and a reminder that regional programs and scholarships can translate into national opportunity for local students. The next step for these spellers is Washington, D.C., where they will carry Kootenai Classical’s name and the Inland Northwest’s support to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.