Anika Gundlapalli, a sixth-grader at Nimitz Middle School in Odessa, Texas, was determined to return for a second opportunity at the national finals. In the 35th round, she knew "valves" and spelled it correctly to earn that repeat trip. Anika attributed her win to preparation and study, and said it was cool to see that work pay off.
Dominic Taylor, a seventh-grader at Chatfield School in Lapeer, Michigan, will never forget the word “sketchy.” The word sealed the victory for him in the 2018 Lapeer County Spelling Bee. His confidence and Albert Einstein T-shirt likely helped, too. When asked by a local reporter if he was nervous about the competition, he commented, "No, not really. It wasn’t too bad."
Ninety-eight students qualified to compete in the North Dakota State Spelling Bee. In the end, it was Tobi Shorunke, an eighth-grader from Ben Franklin Middle School in Fargo, who won with the word "millibars." The North Dakota Association of County Superintendents sponsors the program, which includes 184 enrolled schools.
Dante Marinacci, an 11-year-old from Kinneret Day School in Bronx, New York, said a little bit of luck certainly helps when it comes to the spelling bee. The Daily News advances two spellers to the national finals, and the second day of competition was a good one for Dante. He correctly spelled "peristome" to win the title and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Nidhi Achanta, a student at Maywood Middle School is making plans for a cross-country trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals. She won the 2018 King-Snohomish County Regional Spelling Bee by accurately spelling "pleurodynia."
Pranathi Jammula, a 12-year-old from Kealing Middle School in Austin, Texas, is the winner of the city's first regional spelling bee competition. A total of 47 spellers from 10 central Texas counties competed in the event. The West Austin Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.
In his first experience at the regional level, Abhinav Palle, a 13-year-old from Abington Heights Middle School in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, won the 34th Times Leader Spelling Bee. His winning word was "de facto." Abhinav said he has been working on his spelling by reading more books and having his parents quiz him.
For the first time in at least 40 years, there are two Wisconsin spelling bee champions. Hanna Ghouse, an eighth-grader at KTEC-West in Kenosha, and Immanuel Goveas, a fifth-grader from Riverside Elementary School in Menomonee Falls, were crowned co-champions of the 2018 Badger State Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Wisconsin State Journal. For many years, Wisconsin has advanced the top three spellers. Runner-up Maya Jadhav, a fourth-grader at Madison’s Eagle School, will join Hanna and Immanuel at the national finals.
Charity Jordan, an eighth-grader at La Conner Middle School in Washington, is heading back to the national finals for the third time after winning the 2018 Skagit Regional Spelling Bee. She eagerly anticipates a reunion with spelling friends from across the country. Her winning words were "entomologist" and "de facto."
Aaron Ehsan, a fifth-grader at Dudley Elementary School in Victoria, Texas, is continuing the family tradition, started by his brothers, of excelling at spelling. He won the regional spelling bee in the 51st round by correctly spelling "anschluss." Aaron's oldest brother competed in the national finals in 2010.