Scripps National Spelling Bee Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 243 Spellers

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, a prestigious annual competition, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The event, which began in 1925, has a rich history marked by cancellations during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the competition features 243 spellers from across the United States, its territories, and several other countries, including Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait, and Nigeria. The event is being held at a convention center near the Potomac River, just outside the nation's capital.

The competition is broadcast and streamed on various channels and platforms owned by Scripps, a media company. The preliminary rounds were streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More, and spellingbee.com from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 27. The quarterfinals and semifinals were streamed on the same platforms on Wednesday, May 28, with the semifinals also broadcast on ION on tape-delay from 8-10 p.m. The finals will be broadcast on ION from 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.

The competition has seen a significant dominance by Indian Americans, with 29 of the 35 winners since 1999 being of Indian American descent. This year, several contenders are vying for the top spot, including Faizan Zaki, last year's runner-up, and other notable spellers like Aishwarya Kallakuri, Avinav Prem Anand, Vedanth Raju, Harini Murali, and Tarini Nandakumar.

The rules of the competition are stringent, with spellers qualifying through regional bees and being required to not have advanced beyond the eighth grade or be older than 15. The competition involves two preliminary rounds, a written spelling and vocabulary test, and subsequent oral spelling or vocabulary questions. The words used in the competition are taken from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged dictionary.

The prizes for the Scripps National Spelling Bee champion are substantial. The winner receives a custom trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. The first-place winner receives $52,500 in cash, reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster, and a $1,000 contribution to a school of the champion's choice. The second-place winner receives $25,000, the third-place winner receives $15,000, the fourth-place winner receives $10,000, the fifth-place winner receives $5,000, the sixth-place winner receives $2,500, and all other finalists receive $2,000.

The competition is not just about spelling; it also requires a deep understanding of vocabulary and geography. The stories of the winners reflect how the competition has changed their lives, highlighting the economic success and cultural impact of immigrants from India. The competition has also tweaked its rules to make the 'spell-off' tiebreaker less likely, allowing judges more discretion to let the competition play out.

This year's Scripps National Spelling Bee is not only a celebration of linguistic prowess but also a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the transformative power of education. The event continues to inspire young minds and foster a love for language and learning, making it a cherished tradition in the United States.