Public Radio Tulsa hosts 3rd annual Adult Spelling Bee

An adult spelling bee in Tulsa drew more than a dozen participants to Fulton Street Books, where Kean Kaufmann won with the word “pneumatocyst.” The event, hosted by Public Radio Tulsa and Experience Tulsa, marked its third year of celebrating word lovers across Green Country.

Thursday, August 7th 2025, 7:23 am

By: Jeromee Scot

TULSA, Okla. -

Think spelling bees are just for kids? Think again.

Public Radio Tulsa hosted its third annual Adult Spelling Bee on Wednesday night, drawing in grammar geeks, word lovers and curious onlookers to Fulton Street Books for a fun competition.

The idea started with a listener

The adult bee was born after a local listener suggested the idea to the station several years ago. Now in its third year, the event has become a Tulsa tradition.

This year’s co-host was Experience Tulsa. The event was free and open to the public.

Six rounds, one champ

More than a dozen spellers competed in six rounds of increasingly difficult words. Participants battled it out onstage in front of a live audience, hoping to avoid that dreaded bell signaling elimination.

The final word? Pneumatocyst: a tough botanical term that sealed the win for this year’s champion.

Meet the winner: Kean Kaufmann

Kean Kaufmann took home the top spot. She said she previously placed as first runner-up in a California spelling bee. This time, though, she clinched the win in Tulsa.