Welcome to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where 516 spellers will compete this week to be the champion.
First, though, they have some non-spelling fun.
At registration Sunday, spellers traded signatures in the Bee Keeper, played Bananagrams and met their peers.
For some of them, it was their first time in Washington, D.C.
“It is amazing,” said Xavier Adams, speller 56, from Florida. “I'm walking on the same ground the founding fathers walked on!”
Aashi Mishra, speller 211, from New Jersey, is making her first appearance at the bee. She said she's enjoyed meeting people who have similar interests to her.
“It's not just a competition,” she said. “It's making new friends and learning new things.”
Jaden Zhang, speller 102, from Ontario, is here for the second time. Jaden said he's excited to talk to everybody – new spellers and old – and make new friends. Charles Millard, speller 277, from Maryland, said he's excited to go to Monday's barbecue at the National Arboretum. But the best part might be his time at the Gaylord in National Harbor, Md., where the competition takes place.
“I also like staying in hotels,” Charles said. “This is a nice, big hotel.”
