Scripps National Spelling Bee guide: How to watch, who the notable spellers are, rules, and prizes
Advertisement
How can I watch the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
The bee is broadcast and streamed on channels and platforms owned by Scripps, a Cincinnati-based media company.
— Tuesday, May 27: Preliminary rounds streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. EDT.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
— Wednesday, May 28: Quarterfinals streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Semifinals streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Semifinals broadcast on ION on tape-delay from 8-10 p.m.
— Thursday, May 29: Finals broadcast on ION from 8-10 p.m.
Who is competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
The bee features 243 spellers, with at least one from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia; as well as spellers from U.S. territories Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands; and from Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait and Nigeria.
Advertisement
Faizan Zaki, last year's runner-up, is back after losing to Bruhat Soma in a lightning-round tiebreaker known as a 'spell-off.' He's a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Allen, Texas. If he falls short again, he would have one more year of eligibility. He has won several online bees that top spellers compete in as preparation, including the Words of Wisdom Spelling Bee and the South Asian Spelling Bee.
Other possible contenders:
— Aishwarya Kallakuri, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Concord, North Carolina, and winner of the SpellPundit National Spelling Bee.
— Avinav Prem Anand, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Columbus, Ohio, who finished second to Faizan in the Words of Wisdom bee.
— Vedanth Raju, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Aurora, Colorado, and the younger brother of 2022 runner-up Vikram Raju.
What are the rules of the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
Spellers qualify by advancing through regional bees hosted by sponsors around the country. In order to compete, spellers must not have advanced beyond the eighth grade or be older than 15.
Spellers must get through two preliminary rounds, quizzing them on words from a list provided in advance: one spelling round and one multiple-choice vocabulary round.
Those who make it through the preliminaries sit for a written spelling and vocabulary test, with the top 100 or so finishers advancing to the quarterfinals. The words for the test, and for all subsequent rounds, are taken from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged dictionary.
Throughout the quarterfinals and semifinals, spellers are eliminated at the microphone through oral spelling or vocabulary questions.
About a dozen spellers advance to the finals. When only two spellers remain, Scripps has the option to use a lightning-round tiebreaker known as a 'spell-off' to determine the champion. However, Scripps has taken away the requirement that the spell-off begin at a specific time, giving bee judges more discretion to let the competition play out.
Advertisement
What are the prizes for the Scripps National Spelling Bee champion?
The winner receives a custom trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Here are the prize payouts:
— First place: $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.
— Second place: $25,000.
— Third place: $15,000.
— Fourth place: $10,000.
— Fifth place: $5,000.
— Sixth place: $2,500.
— All other finalists: $2,000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Global Constellation Unveils Ambitious Animation Slate at Annecy (EXCLUSIVE)
Global Constellation, the financing and international sales outfit recently formed through the union of London- and Paris-based Film Constellation with Munich's Global Screen, is making a strong showing at the Annecy Animation Festival as it unveils its animation slate. Global Constellation, part of Vuelta Group's international sales division Playtime Group, has six high-caliber animated features in production and slated for delivery in 2025 and 2026, and additional titles in advanced development for 2027 and beyond. More from Variety Tencent Video Strikes European Deal for 'Blades of the Guardian' With ADN (EXCLUSIVE) Annecy Player 'The Mourning Children' Seeks to Give Life to Recorded History Post 'Flow,' the Baltics Bring a Magnificent Seven of New Animation Titles to Annecy Fabien Westerhoff, managing director – film, Global Constellation, said: 'Animation is a key pillar of our strategy, and this slate signals the scale of our ambition. We're curating projects that combine strong market appeal with the distinct creative signatures of Europe's most exciting talents. This is about building globally-minded, theatrically viable animation that travels, both commercially and culturally.' In Cannes, Global Constellation unveiled a new promo for underwater CG adventure 'The Last Whale Singer' from director Reza Memari ('Richard the Stork'), which is slated for delivery by the end of the year. Produced by Telescope Animation, the feature blends heart, humor and high-stakes adventure for audiences from the age of 6-plus, as we follow Vincent, a not-so-ordinary teenage whale on a deep-sea mission. When a legendary sea monster breaks free from its icy prison and threatens to destroy the oceans, Vincent will confront his deepest fears and journey to the oceans' depths with a group of unlikely companions, seeking to summon his mystical song and save the seas from destruction. The film has pre-sold to France (KMBO), Australia/New Zealand (Icon), Spain (Vercine), Portugal (Pris Audiovisuais), Greece/Cyprus (Rosebud), Bulgaria (ProFilms), Hungary and Romania (ADS), Former Yugoslavia (Blitz), CIS (Nashe Kino), Baltics (GPI), Ukraine (UFD), Turkey (Bir Film), MENA (Selim Ramia), Israel (Five Stars), S. Korea (Signal Pictures), Vietnam (Lumix) and Mongolia (The FilmBridge). Currently in production, from powerhouse French indie animation studio Folivari ('Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,' 'The Summit of the Gods,' 'Wolfwalkers') is 'Carmen' (working title), a modern, animated take on the classic opera, directed by Annecy Crystal winner Sébastien Laudenbach ('The Girl Without Hands,' 'Chicken for Linda!'). Set for release in 2026 in France by Haut et Court to coincide with the opera's 150th anniversary, 'Carmen' promises a 'visually striking, emotionally rich experience with cross-generational appeal.' Exclusive footage of 'Carmen' will be presented as part of the work-in-progress showcase in Annecy. Fresh from its teaser reveal at the European Film Market, 'The Growcodile,' directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk, is another standout title on the slate. 'The Growcodile' was developed and is produced by Fabrique d'Images ('Stitchhead,' 'My Fairy Troublemaker,' 'Luis and the Aliens'), in co-production with Freaks Factory, Ka-Ching Cartoons, Cool Beans and Fantabulous. The film follows Bridget, a gifted young girl with a big secret: she has a pet crocodile that she hides in her room. No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for. What to do when your parents don't like pets, and your father, who owns a shoe store, loves crocodile leather? With the help of Grandma Nell, the unlikely duo will set on a wild adventure to defy the odds and find the perfect home for Gilbert the crocodile. The film pre-sold to France (KMBO), Benelux (Distri7), Greece/Cyprus (Tanweer), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Israel (Tanweer), Turkey and MENA (Italia Film), Poland (KinoSwiat), Eastern Europe (ProRom) and Vietnam (Lumix). Time-traveling CG comedy-adventure 'The Last Dinosaur' will reveal new exclusive footage to buyers in Annecy, ahead of its Q3 2026 delivery. Written by Ben Smith ('Stardog and Turbocat') and directed by Federico Millela ('The Fairy Princess & the Unicorn'), the film was developed and is co-produced by animation studio Red Star, the U.K. team behind 'The Amazing Maurice,' Constellation Productions and Fantabulous, the French joint venture between distribution house KMBO and production outfit Fabrique d'Images. The film follows Rex, son of the King of Dinosaurs, who is suddenly snatched up and transported to the future in a faulty time machine, and finds himself stranded in the 21st century. Desperate to return to his own era to help save his kin, Rex must team up with a gang of nerds, freaks and geeks to go back 65 million years in time. But when he realizes saving those he loves means big trouble for his newfound friends, he will have to face what it means to be the Last Dinosaur. The film pre-sold to France (KMBO), U.K./Ireland (Sky Original), Australia/New Zealand (Umbrella), Benelux (WWE), Greece/Cyprus (Filmtrade), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Poland (Forum), Hungary (Vertigo), Czech amd Slovak Republics (FoxxMedia), Bulgaria (ProFilm), Former Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom), Israel (Red Cape), Turkey and MENA (Italia Film), Vietnam (Mockingbird), and Latin America (BF Distribution). Also in production and slated for a Q2/Q3 2026 delivery is the 'bold and irreverent' adult animation 'Jim Queen,' directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athané, produced by Bobbypills. The film offers a 'wild, satirical ride through identity, fame, and queer culture in crisis.' When a mysterious virus starts turning gay men straight, Paris' ultimate Gym Queen and his ride-or-die twink sidekick must race to find a cure, and save queer culture before it's too late. Rounding out the slate is the newly announced 'Mission Granny,' a high-octane, gadget-packed CG family caper slated for 2027, with a €10 million budget, and one grandma you do not want to mess with. Stuck with their grumpy grandma for the summer, Paul (8) and Kat (12) are shocked to learn she's actually a retired secret agent. Now, it's up to two rookie kids, one farting dog, and a house full of gadgets to save Grandma, and the planet. Global Constellation launched pre-sales in Cannes, with a first teaser to be unveiled later this year at the American Film Market. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
From funny to somber, here are some of this year's most memorable commencement speech quotes
Commencement speakers employed a mix of wisdom and humor to inspire and guide graduates through changing and challenging times. 'Just friggin' go for it' At Advertisement 'When you find the thing that you want to do, I really want to highly recommend, just friggin' go for it,' said Coolidge, who graduated from Emerson's performing arts program. 'You really have to psych yourself up into believing absurd possibilities, and you have to believe that they are not absurd.' 'The decisions you will make in the future under pressure will say something about your character' In a Advertisement 'Graduates, the decisions you will make in the future under pressure will say something about your character, while they also shape and transform you in unexpected ways,' Verghese, an immigrant from Ethiopia, said. 'Make your decisions worthy of the opportunities this great university opened up to you, as it works to preserve the value of what you accomplished here and the values it stands for.' Cambridge, MA - 5/29/2025: Author, physician & professor at Stanford University, Abraham Verghese walks in the procession during Harvard University's 374th Commencement in Cambridge, MA on May 29, 2025. (Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff) Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff 'What I learned in that desert and in every moment since, is this: Hope is not naïve' Hampshire College alum 'So, Hampshire graduates,' Castro said, 'if my journey from that desert to this podium feels improbable, remember this: Improbable things happen when people show up for each other.' Louise Richardson, an Irish trailblazer who was the first woman to head Oxford University in England, and now the first female to lead the Carnegie Corporation of New York received an honorary degree from BC President William P. Leahy, S.J. on May 19. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff 'You look rather like . . . superheroes with capes.' Louise Richardson of the Carnegie Corporation issued a mighty challenge to thousands of proud Boston College 'Eagles.' 'Fly out of the gates of the college and save the world,' she urged the 4,512 graduates who filled the stadium for the university's 149th commencement on May 19. 'You look resplendent in your brightly-colored maroon and gold robes, rather like superheroes with capes,' the Irish-born scholar and philanthropist told the graduates seated beneath bright skies, their gowns billowing behind them. 'You look resplendent in your brightly-colored maroon and gold robes, rather like superheroes with capes,' the Irish-born scholar and philanthropist told the graduates seated beneath bright skies, their gowns billowing behind them. Advertisement 'This is not an idle comparison,' said Richardson, the first woman to lead the New York-based philanthropic foundation. '...As freshly-minted graduates, you are the new guardians of this galaxy.' 'Becoming isn't something you finish. It's something you commit to' At the 'The real growth happened in the quiet. In the lonely. In the moments between the big wins — the ones no one claps for," she said. 'Something very special and strange is happening on this planet and it is you' Hank Green, YouTuber and content creator known for his science-focused videos, 'Do. Not. Forget. How special and bizarre it is to get to live a human life,' he said. 'Something very special and strange is happening on this planet and it is you.' The first recommendation Green gave graduates, though, is MIT graduates tossed their caps at the end of the university's May 28 commencement ceremony. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff 'And what a mission.' Sunita Williams, the Needham-raised NASA astronaut, addressed Merrimack College graduates on May 15, recounting her extended journey in space and urging them to realize how far they have traveled. 'Yes, we could have worried about getting home those nine months, but instead, we had time to look at the foliage,' Williams said to graduates and their families assembled at Lawler Arena. 'And what a mission.' 'Sometimes, just stopping for a moment and looking around allows us to see what's happening right in front of us,' said Williams, 59. '[There are] unbelievable things, if you just stop for a moment and look out the window.' Advertisement 'The crisis of this moment, the challenge of this moment, also offers a huge opportunity' Mass. Governor Maura Healey addressed more than 600 graduates at Mount Holyoke College May 25, 'It may feel as if you're graduating in the worst timeline. But the crisis of this moment, the challenge of this moment, also offers a huge opportunity,' Healey said. 'It's an opportunity to make choices that truly matter, not only to yourselves, but to the world. ' 'Take it with a pound of salt' At Northeastern University's 'Every time someone says 'No,' think about what they said,' Grainge said. 'Then take it with a pound of salt. If your gut says you're right, ignore them completely. If they are right? Cool, good for them. Learn from it. Pivot. And try again.' 'The people who change the world, in my experience, are rarely the ones who feel comfortable doing it' Suffolk alumna, neuroscientist, and entrepreneur Dr. Frida Polli addressed Suffolk University's 'You are nowhere near done becoming who you are meant to be. So be bold. Be different. Be curious. Follow what fascinates you. And don't wait for permission, because where you go from here, excellence awaits you,' she said. 'A young woman would write her truth in your paper and find herself arrested and put in jail' Tufts University garnered Advertisement 'I could never imagine 55 years later that a young woman would write her truth in your paper and find herself arrested and put in jail,' Hrabowski said. 'But let me tell you that all of America salutes your president and Tufts University for supporting that student.' 'Be mindful of those who say, 'You can't boil the ocean'' At 'Be mindful of those who say, 'You can't boil the ocean.' They may be comfortable with the status quo. But you? You're here to lift people,' she said. Emily Spatz can be reached at
Business of Fashion
4 hours ago
- Business of Fashion
The Independents Acquires Culinary Studio We Are Ona
Fashion communications conglomerate The Independents has acquired culinary studio We Are Ona. Founded in Paris in 2019 by chef and Noma alumnus Luca Pronzato, We Are Ona produces immersive dinners, including for Chanel, Balenciaga, Coperni, Alaïa and Saint Laurent. After working together on various projects for clients over the past few years, joining forces felt inevitable, said Independents co-founder and chief executive Isabelle Chouvet. 'We started to collaborate a lot and then it was natural that we had to officialise this union,' said Chouvet. '[Pronzato] is the only one doing what he's doing. He is able to push the boundaries of innovation, he is the only one who has the network of talents. He has the vision and understands the client's needs.' We Are Ona collaborates with artists like Willo Perron, who has staged shows for Beyoncé and Drake; Carsten Höller, known for his interactive installations; and Michelin-starred chefs including Dalad Kambhu and Mory Sacko. Beyond producing events for brands, the firm hosts pop-ups open to the public, most recently a restaurant experience featuring a dramatic, 100-feet-long sculptural lighting installation in New York's WSA Building with fashion show producer Alexandre de Betak (whose Bureau Betak was acquired by The Independents in 2021) in May. The set of a We Are Ona-produced dinner for Balenciaga. (Courtesy) Being under The Independents' umbrella will help We Are Ona continue expansion in the US (where it opened an office earlier this year), the Middle East and Asia, said Pronzato. This marks The Independents' first acquisition in the culinary space; it comes as foodie culture reaches a new zenith, and as food becomes an increasingly important tool fashion brands use to engage their customers. When it comes to food, fashion brands are raising the stakes — looking for high-production events that double as marketing moments: 'It's not only dinner to have a dinner, it's dinner to create a brand moment,' said Pronzato. 'These experiences can create an emotional link. When you sit at the table, the experience is different than when you buy a bag.' The acquisition is The Independents' third this year, and part of an ongoing spree that began in 2023 when it set its sights on doubling in size. In April, The Independents bought design studio 2x4 and in May, Paris-based documentary production company Terminal 9 Studios. Now, the company has over 20 agencies in its ranks and counts over 1,200 employees in offices across cities including Barcelona, Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Seoul, Shanghai and Paris. Group revenue totalled $800 million in 2024, according to the company. Learn more: Why Food Is Everywhere in Fashion Advertising As foodie culture peaks and the cost of living rises, food is popping up more than ever in fashion imagery.
