100th Scripps National Spelling Bee today: 9 students to compete in the finals
Image: AP
If you thought spelling was just about memorizing words, the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee is here to prove you wrong. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, this year's Bee was more than a competition—it was a showcase of young intellects, cultural diversity, and the sheer joy of language.
Held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, the event brought together 243 spellers aged 8 to 14 from across the U.S. and countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kuwait, and the Bahamas . The preliminary rounds kicked off on May 27, with the finals airing on May 29, marking a century since the first Bee in 1925.
Imagine a room filled with kids who can spell words most of us can't even pronounce. For example "Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg"
Meet the finalists
The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals brought together a remarkable lineup of talented young spellers, each with their own unique journey to the big stage.
Among the finalists was 13-year-old Esha Marupudi (Speller 4), a seventh grader from Arizona making her debut at the national level. Joining her is Oliver Halkett (Speller 20), also 13 and a seventh grader from California, returning after his 2024 appearance.
Fellow Californian Sarvadnya Kadam (Speller 30), 14, an eighth grader, brought valuable experience, having competed in both the 2023 and 2024 bees. Representing Georgia, 11-year-old Sarv Dharavane (Speller 53) stood out as the youngest finalist this year and previously competed in 2024.
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From New Jersey, 13-year-old Harini Murali (Speller 136), an eighth grader, brought a wealth of experience with appearances in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 bees. Brian Liu (Speller 144), also 13 and an eighth grader from New York, returned after competing in 2023. North Carolina's Aishwarya Kallakuri (Speller 156), 14, an eighth grader, was back after her 2024 run. Pennsylvania was represented by 13-year-old Akshaj Somisetty (Speller 182), another returning finalist from 2024.
Rounding out the star-studded group was Faizan Zaki (Speller 207), 13, from Texas—a seasoned competitor who finished as runner-up in 2024 and had also participated in the 2019 and 2023 bees. Together, these young wordsmiths embodied a blend of fresh talent and veteran grit, lighting up the finals with poise, precision, and passion for language.
Behind many of these young prodigies is a network of dedicated coaches.
Notably, 27 contestants were mentored by Scott Remer, a former top-four Bee finalist who started coaching at 15. His approach combines language roots, logic, and mental preparation, helping spellers like 13-year-old Faizan Zaki, a 2024 runner-up and 2025 favorite, navigate the intense competition .
The Bee isn't just about spelling anymore. Contestants now face obscure geographical terms, pushing them to master not only language but also global geography. This shift challenges even seasoned spellers, emphasizing the importance of intellectual curiosity .
As the Bee celebrated its centennial, it also honored its roots. The Scripps National Spelling Bee remains a testament to the power of words and the bright minds that master them. Here's to another 100 years of spelling excellence!
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