Sahil Langote, speller 79, spelled "tessellar" correctly. It's formed of or resembling small pieces (as of marble, glass or tile) cut usually with a square or rectangular face and used in mosaic work.
He bit his lip, thinking, and started over, but got it right.
The Delaware eighth grader tied for 323rd place last year and 41st in 2017.
"I feel ecstatic," Sahil said about making the finals. "It's a really big honor."
It's Sahil's third time at the Bee, but his first time in the finals. Sahil said he knows he worked hard to get to this point.