In the thrilling conclusion of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, teenager Dev Shah from Florida emerged victorious by correctly spelling the word “psammophile”. Shah, 14, expressed his disbelief, stating, “It’s surreal … my legs are still shaking.” He triumphed over 14-year-old Charlotte Walsh from Virginia, securing the championship title. Shah’s spelling journey had faced setbacks due to the pandemic, and he fell short in his regional bee last year. However, he persevered and qualified for the national bee this year, ultimately lifting the trophy amidst falling confetti.
During the intense final stages of the competition, Shah displayed his strategic thinking by asking for the definition and usage of his given word. He requested, “Psammo meaning sand, Greek? Phile, meaning love, Greek?” This allowed him to gather his thoughts and compose himself before spelling the word. As the announcement of his victory was made, Shah covered his face with his hands, overwhelmed by the momentous achievement.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee featured 11 exceptional finalists, all aged between 11 and 14. The competition, which included preliminary rounds earlier in the week, took place in a convention center just outside Washington. These talented spellers showcased their mastery of the English language, relying on Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged dictionary. The ultimate champion would be awarded a $50,000 prize along with the prestigious champion’s trophy.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has witnessed several changes in recent years, including an eight-way tie in 2019 and the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the exemplary skills and dedication of the top spellers remain constant. These young competitors devote three to four hours each weekday to studying, with additional hours on weekends. Despite their rigorous spelling routines, many of them excel in other academic disciplines. For instance, finalist Charlotte Walsh, at just 14 years old, recently completed an Advanced Placement calculus course as an eighth-grader.
Established in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is open to students through the eighth grade. Participants qualify by winning regional spelling bees held across the country. This year, 229 students initially took the stage. It is noteworthy that the majority of the finalists in recent years have had Indian American heritage, with 21 of the past 23 champions tracing their roots back to South Asia.
The winner of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee will not only receive a cash prize of over $50,000 but also have the opportunity to embark on a media tour and make various appearances throughout the year as the face of the competition. Many former champions are also involved in the bee in different capacities. For example, Vanya Shivashankar, a co-champion in 2015, has been part of the bee’s telecast since then and has now been promoted to the role of master of ceremonies.
In previous years, ties have resulted in co-champions, but the current rules eliminate the possibility of ties. To ensure a decisive winner, a lightning-round tiebreaker will be implemented if the contest exceeds the 1-hour, 55-minute mark without a clear victor. Among the finalists, Surya Kapu, a 14-year-old from Utah, is the only returning finalist, having finished tied for fifth place last year. Notably, the youngest semifinalist is 11-year-old Sarah Fernandes from Nebraska, who is four months younger than the youngest winner in history, Nihar Janga, who became a co-champion at the age of 11 in 2016.
As the competition reaches its climax, the spellers exhibit great sportsmanship despite the high stakes. Regardless of the outcome, these talented young individuals have already demonstrated their remarkable linguistic abilities and dedication to their craft.
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