Fourteen-year-old Dev Shah from Florida emerged victorious in the 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee held in the United States. The talented student from Largo correctly spelled “psammophile,” a term referring to an organism that thrives in sandy areas. Dev’s triumph earned him the coveted title and a prize of $50,000 (£40,000). The runner-up, fourteen-year-old Charlotte Walsh from Arlington, Virginia, stumbled on the word “daviely,” spelling it as “daevilick.”
Dev Shah expressed his disbelief and excitement, saying, “It’s surreal… my legs are still shaking,” as he accepted the trophy on stage, surrounded by his family. Dev had participated in the competition in previous years, securing the 51st and 76th positions in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Throughout the competition, he showcased his expertise by accurately spelling words like bathypitotmeter, schistorrhachis, and rommack. Additionally, he demonstrated his knowledge by correctly answering a question about magicians’ practice of legerdemain.
Charlotte Walsh, the deserving runner-up, exhibited her exceptional spelling abilities as well. Along her journey to the final, she successfully spelled words such as akuammine, sorge, and collembolous. The national spelling bee took place in National Harbor, Maryland, and featured eleven students who made it to the finals out of a staggering 11 million participants in spelling competitions nationwide. The prestigious event has been an annual tradition since its inception in 1925.
Dev Shah’s triumph in the Scripps National Spelling Bee highlights his dedication and linguistic prowess. His victory brings pride to his family and serves as an inspiration to young spellers across the United States.
Source: BBC
