California teen wins US spelling bee - but could you compete? Take our quiz

May 28, 2026

A 14-year-old California student named Shrey Parikh emerged victorious at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee held at Washington's Constitution Hall after three days of intense competition. He competed against 247 other young spellers ranging from ages nine to fifteen in the century-old competition. The championship round featured a timed showdown where Parikh successfully spelled 32 words in 90 seconds, clinching victory with the word "cashaw," which refers to a variety of pumpkin.

Who is affected

Shrey Parikh (14-year-old winner from California)
Ishaan Gupta (12-year-old seventh-grader from Jersey City, New Jersey, second place finisher)
247 total spellers aged 9-15 who competed in the contest
The nine finalists who competed on stage
Family and friends who attended the final round

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions stated in the article.

Why it matters

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a prestigious 101-year-old competition that celebrates academic excellence and language mastery among young students. The substantial $52,000 prize and national recognition provide significant opportunities for the winner, while the competition itself promotes literacy, vocabulary development, and academic achievement among youth across the country.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC