Abhilash Patel, speller 104, said the spelling bee experience has been “really amazing.”

It’s the first and last time at the Bee for the New York eighth grader. He said he’s experiencing a mix of excitement, amazement and nerves – but it’s really fun.

He likes to play violin and walk outside, and Abhilash said he enjoys spelling because it’s a way to learn culture and history from around the world.

The Bee, he said, is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that he wasn’t expecting. So far, he said, it’s been a lot of fun.

“Never give up and always take the opportunity,” he said. “If you don’t participate, that’s a guaranteed loss.”