Celebrating a Century of Spelling Excellence: The 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee

A Century of Spelling Excellence

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, a cherished tradition in American education and culture, is poised to celebrate its 100th anniversary from May 27 to 29 at National Harbor, Maryland. With 243 of the nation’s brightest young minds ready to demonstrate their spelling prowess, this milestone event represents not just a competition, but also a century of dedication to the art of language.

The inception of the Spelling Bee in 1925 was humble, featuring just nine participants. Fast forward a century, and the event has blossomed into a national phenomenon, invigorating the pursuit of knowledge and excellence among youth across all 50 states and several territories. As Corrie Loeffler, the executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, eloquently stated, “Reaching 100 years is more than a milestone – it’s a testament to the enduring power of words, learning, and the human spirit.”

Who's Competing?

This year, the spellers, aged between 8 and 14, were meticulously selected from local and regional bee competitions held across the nation. Interestingly, 73% of the participants are competing in their first Scripps National Spelling Bee, with only 53 returning from previous years. Their skills will be tested through four rounds — preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals — all taking place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Among the notable competitors is Faizan Zaki, who made waves in last year’s competition with a record-breaking tie, finishing as the runner-up. He is joined by Tarini Nandakumar, a seasoned competitor who is entering her fifth consecutive Scripps Bee, having previously finished ninth last year. Other returnees include Navtaj Singh, Micah Sterling, and Avinav Prem Anand, each bringing experience from prior competitions.

The Bee draws participants not just from all 50 states, but also features competitors representing countries such as the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Guam, Kuwait, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Texas is leading the way with 22 participants, followed closely by California and Ohio.

Celebrating 100 Years

In honor of this centenary, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has launched several initiatives aimed at both competitors and the public. A historical microsite will be introduced soon, serving as a repository of news, names, and fun facts chronicling the Bee's first hundred years. Also in the works is a limited-edition coffee-table book, which will encapsulate the rich history of the competition and is available for pre-order.

During the event week, a museum-quality exhibit will display a wealth of memorabilia, showcasing key moments in the competition's storied past and its cultural impact. These celebrations not only commemorate the legacy of the Spelling Bee but also ensure its relevance in today’s digital age.

The Broadcast Schedule

Fans who wish to tune in can catch the action live. The preliminaries are set to stream on various platforms, including Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, and spellingbee.com. The semifinals will be broadcast live on ION, followed by the finals, which will also be available on multiple networks, reinforcing the Bee’s position as a significant televised event.