Young Spellers Prepare for 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee

OXON HILL, Md. — The top young spellers from across the country are set to compete in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which kicks off Tuesday and runs through Thursday night. This prestigious event, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, celebrates its 97th edition, showcasing the talents of spellers aged 14 and under.

The spelling bee started in 1925 and has evolved into a significant national competition. This year, 243 spellers will participate, representing every U.S. state and territories including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as international contenders from Canada, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait, and Nigeria.

Among the contestants is Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Allen, Texas, who was the runner-up last year. Zaki lost to Bruhat Soma in a dramatic tiebreaker known as a “spell-off.” He has returned this year, eager to claim the title. “I’ve trained hard and won several online competitions to prepare,” Zaki said.

Another strong contender is Aishwarya Kallakuri, 14, from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the winner of the SpellPundit National Spelling Bee. “I’m excited and nervous, but I believe in my preparation,” Kallakuri stated after a successful semi-final round.

The competition will unfold over several days. Preliminary rounds will be streamed on various platforms on May 27. Quarterfinals follow on May 28, with semifinals later that day. Finals will be broadcast on ION on May 29.

Spellers must navigate through stringent qualification rounds and tests. After initial rounds, the top 100 competitors will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face a series of spelling and vocabulary questions.

As the competition progresses, spellers are eliminated until only a dozen reach the finals. A “spell-off” may be used if the last two spellers can’t be separated after the final rounds. The champion will take home $52,500 in cash, along with prizes such as reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster.

“Winning means everything to me,” said Kallakuri. “It’s an incredible opportunity.” The excitement builds as these young spellers prepare for the challenge ahead.