27-05-2025
Central Ohio eighth grader is a top contender in the National Spelling Bee
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It's a big week for a central Ohio eighth grader, who is competing in his fourth National Spelling Bee.
Avinav Prem Anand will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week, his fourth consecutive go. Anand attends Orange Middle School and won the Columbus Blue Jackets Regional Spelling Bee at Nationwide Arena in March.
Anand will be one of 243 spellers across the country and is considered a top contender this year. He tied for 32nd place in 2022, tied for 74th in 2023 and tied for 22nd place in last year's event.
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Anand said when he's not acting as a spelling whiz, his hobbies include martial arts, cycling and baking. At 14, he will be among the oldest spellers and this will mark his final year of eligibility. He said his favorite animal is the cardinal, Ohio's state bird.
Anand is one of 15 competitors from Ohio, including a 10-year-old speller from Athens County. Competitors can be as young as 8, but there is only one speller in the youngest age group this year, a second grader from Texas. There is also only one 9-year-old competing, Ohioan Aadhya Adhikari from Marietta.
Preliminaries begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals taking place Wednesday and spellers battling in the finals Thursday evening. This year is an extra-special event, marking the 100th anniversary of the National Spelling Bee.
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