See Florida Teen Win Scripps Nationwide Spelling Bee 2023 With Closing Phrase ‘Psammophile’ (VIDEO)
A brand new Scripps National Spelling Bee champion has been topped, as 14-year-old Dev Shah from Largo, Florida, gained the three-day contest on Thursday, June 1, in Nationwide Harbor, Maryland.
Shah appropriately spelled “psammophile” (a plant or animal that prefers or thrives in sandy areas) to win the competitors, narrowly beating fellow 14-year-old Charlotte Walsh from Merrifield, Virginia. Walsh incorrectly spelled the phrase “daviely” (a Scottish adverb that means listlessly), dropping her the competition.
Earlier than answering the ultimate phrase, Shah appropriately spelled phrases similar to “bathypitotmeter,” “schistorrhachis,” and “rommack.” He additionally appropriately answered “magician” to the query, “Who could be most probably to observe legerdemain?”
Because the confetti rained down and the trophy was handed out, Shah’s dad and mom joined him on the stage to have fun. You possibly can watch the feelgood second beneath.
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“It’s surreal,” Shah mentioned of his victory. “I didn’t even let it settle in. My legs are nonetheless shaking.”
His mom known as the second “very emotional,” revealing that Shah “put in virtually 4 years” to win the competitors, spending “at the very least 10 hours right here and there” learning over the previous yr. “We’re so pleased with him,” she added.
The Scripps Nationwide Spelling Bee, which aired reside on ION and Bounce, noticed over 200 elementary and middle-school college students between the ages of 9 and 14 competing. Based on CNN, Shah has participated within the competitors earlier than, having tied for 51st place in 2019 and 76th place in 2021.
Together with the Scripps Cup, Shah additionally gained $50,000, a commemorative medal, a $2,500 money prize and reference library from Merriam-Webster, $400 of reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica, and $2,000 Scholastic {Dollars} “to be donated to the varsity of the Champion’s alternative of their honor.”
