Siddarth Krishnakumar, speller 238, is in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee because the family of speller 237, Shobha Dasari, moved to another school district, his mother said.
Shobha misspelled in the semifinals and was eliminated, but for the past few years, she’s beaten Siddarth at the local level. When her family moved – just to the other side of Houston, the area both are from – it opened it up for Siddarth to come to the bee, his mother said.
“I really wish she was here. We would enjoy it even more,” said Raji Seshan, who said the families have become good friends. “I think they’ve inspired us a lot.”
Siddarth said he was happy Dr. Bailly gave him a word he knew – “respue” – in the last semifinal round.
Raji said her son, a seventh grader from Pearland, Texas, has been working hard for years to get to the bee.
“It’s awesome. I don’t have any words,” she said, after he advanced to the finals. “We’re very proud.”
Siddarth said he planned to search the dictionary for words he didn’t know before he took the stage.
“I think I have a chance,” he said. “I’m just glad I made it this far.”
Siddarth misspelled "minhag" and was eliminated.