The Spelling Bee

A very intense drama plays out every May at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition held at Washington DC where kids outdo each other in spelling. Its one thing to spell well but it is a totally different experience to watch contestants younger than 15 spell tongue-twisting, abstract words like Autochthonous (natives of an area) and Eudaemonic (that which makes us happy).

The tradition started with a simple agenda – to improve literacy. But the event has attracted its own fan following. In 1908 when the first national spelling contest was held with 6,000 people in attendance, the gold medal was claimed by Marie Bolden, a girl from Cleveland, Ohio. She was the only African American participant. One can only imagine the drama that ensued.

Let us look at some of the significant events in the evolution of the Spelling Bee. 1908 : “I did not enter the spelling contest for personal glory. But to try to help bring honor to my teacher and my school,” says Marie Bolden, 14 after winning the competition.

1925 : Seventeen years later, in 1925 US’ National Spelling Bee is launched. Eleven-year-old Frank Neuhauser wins the championship by spelling Gladiolus.

1941: The Spelling Bee event is put on hold due to World War II but resumes after the war.

1994: The spelling bee is portrayed in the movie “Akeelah and the Bee,” bringing renewed interest to the competition.

2002: The documentary film “Spellbound” is released that gives viewers an inside look at the intense competition that often precedes the event.

2006: A preliminary written test is introduced to help narrow down the field of competitors before the televised rounds. Katharine Close, (seen above with the US President and his wife) wins the Bee for spelling Ursprache correctly.

2018: The Scripps National Spelling Bee introduces a new format for the finals, including a written vocabulary test. Karthik Nemmani wins the Gold spelling “koinonia” (a spiritual community) correctly.

2020: The Scripps National Spelling Bee is canceled for the first time since 1945 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: The competition returns in a virtual format, with Zaila Avant-garde becoming the first African American winner in the competition’s history.

2022: The Scripps National Spelling Bee returns to in-person competition and Dev Shah takes home the $ 50,000 prize for the word “psammophile” a plant or animal that lives in sandy soil.

2024 : Schools across the US have been holding contests to select which spellers will compete in the National event from May 26-31.

Infyni offers 1-1 classes, intensive workshops and personal coaching for kids interested in Spelling Bee competitions. All classes are live and online with expert coaches who train with specialized curated curriculum. To join us for a free live trial with our expert Spelling Bee instructors give us a call at +1-813-944-3309 or drop us a mail at contact@infyni.com ~