Scripps National Spelling Bee guide: How to watch, who the notable spellers are, rules and prizes
The best young spellers in the English language are set to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The first bee was held in 1925, when the Louisville Courier-Journal invited other newspapers to host spelling bees and send their champions to Washington. The bee is now held just outside the nation's capital, at a convention center on the banks of the Potomac River in Oxon Hill, Maryland. It starts Tuesday and concludes Thursday night.
This will be the 97th bee; it was canceled from 1943 to 1945 because of World War II and again in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's champion will be the 110th, because the bee ended in a two-way tie several times and an eight-way tie in 2019.
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.
— 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.
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.
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.
Stories of note
— National Spelling Bee winners reflect on how it changed their lives
— Scripps National Spelling Bee tweaks its rules to make 'spell-off' tiebreaker less likely
— Bruhat Soma wins the National Spelling Bee after a slow night concludes with a sudden tiebreaker
— Exclusive secrets of the National Spelling Bee: Picking the words to identify a champion
___
Ben Nuckols has covered the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2012. Follow his work here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arizona Diamondbacks' offense hitless in last four innings, swept by Reds
CINCINNATI — With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday, June 8, Diamondbacks catcher José Herrera set up his mitt above the outside of home plate to right-handed hitting Cincinnati Reds No. 9 hitter Matt McClain. The 0-1 slider from Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen missed the target and went right over the plate, where McClain was able to get a good swing and send the ball into the left-field seats for a two-run home run. Advertisement That shot broke a 2-2 tie for a 4-2 Reds lead, and it was all Cincinnati needed to take a win and a series sweep over the Diamondbacks this weekend at Great American Ball Park. It was one of three home runs for the Reds on the day, all off Gallen (4-8). "Maybe one of those stays in at another park," Gallen said. ''But it looked like they were hit pretty solid. Obviously, it's on your mind when you're out there, you're cognizant of this park playing a little bit smaller. You kind of tend to have higher home run totals. But I think when you make a mistake toward the middle of the plate, it doesn't matter where you're playing." Gallen — in his 150th career start as a Diamondback — allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 6⅔ innings, a decent outing but one not supported by much offense. The Diamondbacks (31-34) scored just six runs over three games in a hitter-friendly stadium, and on Sunday went the final four innings of the game without a hit or even a single runner on base. Advertisement "Very disappointed," manager Torey Lovullo said. "We lose two tough ballgames here. The middle game (13-1 loss) was a clunker yesterday, I'm aware of that. But they (the Reds) got big hits at most critical times, and we didn't. And that's the difference in the game. "Our guys are very capable of doing that. It just didn't happen," Lovullo added. "But Zac did his job today. He did everything he possibly could. He felt great, looked great, just made a couple of mistakes and he paid for it." The Diamondbacks had a 2-0 lead through three innings but couldn't build on it. They had two runners on base in both the fourth and fifth innings but couldn't score. Eugenio Suarez hit his second home run in as many days and Corbin Carroll drove in Alek Thomas for a run in the third inning, but Geraldo Perdomo grounded into a pair of double plays. Advertisement "He's so good at working counts, seeing the ball, just working his approach around the field," Lovullo said of Perdomo. "Maybe getting a little bit jumpy and pull-happy." Rain delayed the game 31 minutes before the top of the sixth inning, the second game in three days affected by precipitation in southern Ohio. "It's what happens when you come to the Midwest," Lovullo said. "It seems like every year when we come on this trip in this space. So we talked about it, it didn't surprise anybody. It's just one of those things you've got to deal with." Thomas led a good day on defense for the Diamondbacks with a diving catch in center field to rob Gavin Lux of an extra-base hit. There was a double p[ay turned in the infield, and Gallen picked off the speedy Elly De La Cruz as the Arizona executed the rundown play well. Advertisement Next for the Diamondbacks is the struggling Seattle Mariners back at Chase Field. They've dropped out of the top spot in the American League West. "When we go back home I think we're going to be just fine," Thomas said. "We're just going to put together good at-bats and pass the baton to the next guy, and get on base and drive them in. A little bit of luck in there, too, and things will fall our way." Backhus makes big league debut Left-handed reliever Kyle Backhus entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and made his major league debut, tossing a scoreless 1-2-3 inning. Backhus was called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day, and his first career MLB strikeout came against De La Cruz, the star of the Reds. Advertisement Lovullo said Backhus showed what the organization liked about him in spring training. "Super proud of him, super happy for him and he's got some really good stuff," Lovullo said. "We're very intrigued by what he's capable of doing." Backhus said there was not enough time for his wife and infant daughter to come see his debut on such short notice with the call-up. But they will join him when the Diamondbacks return to Phoenix on June 9. "It was exciting. Tried not to put too much into it," Backhus said. "A lot of guys in the bullpen helped calm my nerves a little bit. Being around some of these guys in camp helps a lot. Just going out there and doing my thing." Advertisement Backhus was on a road trip with Reno in Oklahoma City so he got two hours of sleep because he was awake doing laundry. "Other than that, it is what it is. I'll take this call 100 more times," Backhus said. Busy days for DBacks' Herrera José Herrera nodded his head in the clubhouse before Sunday's game, when asked how his arm felt. That was good for the Diamondbacks, who called upon Herrera to catch a full game for the second straight day. Herrera normally catches on Sundays, but he was pressed into service as catcher and for one inning, relief pitcher the day before. Herrera caught for 12 innings on June 7, then pitched a scoreless inning. Several teammates asked him if he was feeling good. Advertisement "I like the catchers pitching, because they throw the ball back to the pitcher at that distance, and it's not adding on to any more volume," Lovullo said. "They're going to receive one, they're going to throw one back to the pitcher, so it's a one-for-one proposition for me. They know the distance, they know how to gauge the speed, and they can lob it in there because they're used to it." Lovullo told Herrera not to throw more than 55 mph. Herrera's velocity was in the 40s, in a game the Diamondbacks lost 13-1. "I just don't want anybody to get hurt in that situation," Lovullo said. "I want to just get off the field healthy and live to fight another day." Moreno 'feeling much better,' Carroll back in lineup After not playing in the June 7 game against the Reds, catcher Gabriel Moreno's sore right hand was feeling better on June 8, Lovullo said. Moreno was OK to serve as a backup to Herrera. Advertisement Moreno seems to have avoided an injured list stint for the moment. "He got struck on the hand by a ball that got him in the right spot, and we felt like it was going to be day to day for a little while," Lovullo said. "But it was going to turn a corner quickly, and eventually get him back on the field much quicker than the 10 days (injured list), and that's kind of where we're at right now." Lovullo gave an update on the catching depth in the minor leagues. Adrian Del Castillo is about to return to Reno for games after rehabbing his injured shoulder at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, and Rene Pinto, who with Del Castillo and Garcia was also in spring training, recently broke his hand. Also, outfielder Corbin Carroll was back in the lineup on June 8 after two days out for rest. Advertisement "It's just nice to have one of the best players in the league available and back in your lineup," Lovullo said. "But we had to be careful. There's a lot of baseball, and it was a quick turnaround day in Atlanta, and he plays hard. He goes as hard as anybody we have, and the body was just not responding and needed a little bit more rest." Roster move The Diamondbacks had to return pitcher Christian Montes De Oca to Reno despite his solid outing on June 7, because he was the appointed 27th player on the active roster for the day. But the team did add a pitcher on June 8, with Backhus brought up and catcher Aramis Garcia designated for assignment. Garcia caught for a half-inning on June 7, soon after being called up to provide coverage, with Moreno unable to play due to right hand soreness. Advertisement Backhus is 4-4 with a 2.22 earned run average at Reno, with 24 appearances this season. Coming up Monday, June 9: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (6-2, 3.43) vs. Mariners RHP Emerson Hancock (2-2, 5.19). Tuesday, June 10: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-4, 5.51) vs. Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (5-3, 3.07). Wednesday, June 11: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.70) vs. Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (2-5, 5.73) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks' offense falters in loss and 3-game sweep by Reds
Business of Fashion
an hour 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.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jason Kelce Reveals the Truth on Major Personal Decision
Jason Kelce Reveals the Truth on Major Personal Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jason Kelce has been doing a lot since he retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. Since then, the Super Bowl-winning center has gotten himself a deal with ESPN as a football analyst, which also gave birth to his own talk show on the esteemed sports network, "They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce." Advertisement On top of that, the 37-year-old also runs a very successful podcast with his brother, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, entitled "New Heights." Kelce has also ventured into multiple businesses. Apart from being a part-owner of Cincinnati, Ohio-based alcoholic beverage company Garage Beer, the NFL icon also decided to invest in his passion for golf. In May, Kelce was officially announced as a part-owner of the Sullivan County Golf Club in Liberty, New York. The seven-time Pro Bowl center joined actor Bill Murray and entrepreneur Mike Madden, the son of NFL legend Mike Madden, among others, as part of the golf club's high-profile ownership group. In a recent interview, Kelce opened up about his major personal decision to invest in Sullivan County. According to the former Eagles star, it was renowned golf writer and editor Tom Coyne who paved the way for him. Advertisement "So Tom and I played golf and did a podcast that he has," Kelce said, via kelcebrothers on Instagram. "And we just kind of got to know each other through that. "And, you know, I've been getting more involved with golf. I'm doing some stuff with my nonprofit, Underdog ... But (I've) been working with Tom and doing some things on that front. Jason Kelce on the ESPN postseason countdown set.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images "And then he all of a sudden tells me, 'Hey, do you want to go play a hoopie with Bill Murray?' I'm like, '(Expletive) Yeah, I want to go play a hoopie with Bill Murray.' And that's when we kind of got to talking. "It sounded like this nine-hole course up in the Catskills in Sullivan County was going to be pretty killer. ... From there, we kind of came together, and now we've got a golf course." Advertisement While it was not disclosed how much Kelce invested in this new business venture, there's no denying that purchasing a stake in a golf course had to burn a hole in his pockets. However, as Kelce said during the announcement, his relationship with the sport of golf has grown over the past few years, and he came to the conclusion that it was due time to make "a long-term commitment" by putting his money where his mouth is. Related: Jason Kelce's Family's Behavior Around Taylor Swift Revealed Related: Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce Make Big Announcement on Tuesday Related: Travis Kelce Strongly Denies Jason Kelce's Accusation About His Wife This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
