National Spelling Bee

Rachael Cundey, of Evans, Ga., spells the word "lokshen" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee Champion Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., waits to spell his winning words during the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y. poses for photographers after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Arvind Mahankali Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., is congratulated by his mother Bhavani, as confetti falls after he won the National Spelling Bee by spelling the word "knaidel" correctly on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Arvind Mahankali Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., holds the championship trophy after he won the National Spelling Bee by spelling the word "knaidel" correctly on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y. watches confetti fall after he won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Arvind Mahankali Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., is congratulated by his family as confetti falls after he won the National Spelling Bee by spelling the word "knaidel" correctly on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee Vismaya Kharkar, 14, of Bountiful, Utah, covers her face while spelling her word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Vanya Shivashankar Vanya Shivashankar, 11 of Olathe, Kan., smiles after spelling the word "shillibeer" correctly during the final round of the National Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee Syamantak Payra, 12, of Friendswood, Texas, left, Vanya Shivashankar, 11 of Olathe, Kan., center, and Vismaya Kharkar, 14, of Bountiful, Utah wait for their turn to spell a word during the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Jonathan Caldwell Jonathan Caldwell, 13, of Hendersonville, Tenn., shrugs his shoulders after getting the word "pergameneous" incorrect during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Vismaya Kharkar Vismaya Kharkar, 14, of Bountiful, Utah, celebrates after learning that she made the finals of the National Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Amber Born Amber Born, 14 of Marblehead, Mass. falls into her seat after spelling the word "malacophilous" correctly during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Neha Seshadri, Kuvam Shahane, Anuk Dayaprema Neha Seshadri, 12, of Imlay City, Mich., left, Kuvam Shahane, 13, of Rochester Hills, Mich., center, and Ryan Devanandan, 13, of Albany, N.Y., right, listen as Anuk Dayaprema, 14, of Vincenza, Italy spells during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Katharine Wang Katharine Wang, 11, of Beijing, China incorrectly spells "hyetomete" during the semi-final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Eva Kitlen Eva Kitlen, 14, of Niwot, Colo., writes out the word "kleptocrat" in her hand before spelling it correctly during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Katharine Wang, Eva Kitlen, Audrey Bantug Katharine Wang, 11, of Beijing, China, center, gathers herself before the start of the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. From left are, Eva Kitlen of Niwot, Colo., Wang, and Audrey Bantug, 13, of San Ramon, Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Christopher O'Connor Christopher O'Connor, of Tucson, Ariz., spells the word "pultaceous" incorrectly during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Isabel Cholbi Isabel Cholbi of San Bernardino, Calif., reacts after spelling the word "telergy" correctly during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Katharine Wang, Amber Born, Matthew Donohue Katharine Wang, 11, of Beijing, China, second from left, hugs Amber Born, 14 of Marblehead, Massachusetts at the start of the semifinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013. Matthew Donohue of Kingston, Mass. is at right. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Jae Canetti Jae Canetti of Reston, Va., pauses before spelling the word "punctilio" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Latia Jones Latia Jones of Mount Vernon, N.Y., reacts after spelling the word "witloof" incorrectly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Antonio Vince Miguel Lansang Antonio Vince Miguel Lansang of Neligh, Neb., adjusts the microphone before spelling the word "pneumatic" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Matthew Donohue Matthew Donohue, 14, of Kingston, Mass., spells his word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Soleil Roselinda Jones Soleil Roselinda Jones, 13 of Oxnard, Calif. waves to the word announcer as she spells her word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Shobha Dasari Shobha Dasari, 12, of Pearland, Texas spells her word with her finger during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. a(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Katharine Wang Katharine Wang, 11, of Beijing, China spells her word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Katharine Wang, Mollie Symons Katharine Wang, 11, of Beijing, China, right, celebrates correctly spelling her word with Mollie Symons, 14, of Kingston, Canada, during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Samuel Yeager Samuel Yeager, of Chinle, Ariz., wipes his eyes while waiting for his turn during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. Yeager spelled the word "yannigan" incorrectly. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Aaron Michael Manning Aaron Michael Manning of Evansville, Ind., center, yawns while waiting for his turn during the third round of the National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Katie Peterson Katie Peterson of Palm Desert, Calif. reacts after getting the word "totipotency" incorrect during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Aditya Mishra Aditya Mishra of Lincoln, Calif. waits for his turn during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Osvaldo Sanchez Osvaldo Sanchez of Bakersfield, Calif. waits for his turn during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. Sanchez spelled the word "oligarchic" correctly. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Meghana Krishna Giri Meghana Krishna Giri, of Anniston, Ala., smiles as she spells the word "glasnost" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Daniel Hsin-Chuan Chi Daniel Hsin-Chuan Chi, 13, of Berrien Springs, Mich. spells his word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Marguerite Arbogast Marguerite Arbogast, 13, of Ludington Mich., spells her word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Cassandra Clowe-Coish, Audrey Bantug, Mollie Symons Cassandra Clowe-Coish, 12, of St. John's, Canada, center, Audrey Bantug, 13, from San Ramon, Ca., left, and Mollie Symons, 14, of Kingston, Canada, wait to spell their words during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Joshua Sturgill Joshua Sturgill of Sedalia, Mo., pumps his fist after getting the word "aggrandizement" correct during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Richelle Zampella Richelle Zampella, 12, of Muskogee, Ok., who is sight impaired, right, is escorted to the microphone to spell her word during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Abirami Ratnakumar Abirami Ratnakumar, of Seneca Falls, N.Y., wears panda bear gloves as she spells the word "cyathiform" correctly during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Dylan O'Connor Dylan O'Connor, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y., smiles after spelling the word "acervation" correctly during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Aparajita Rao Aparajita Rao, of Hummelstown, Pa., spells the word "ginglymus" correctly during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Anna Tran Anna Tran, of Quakertown, Pa., spells the word acuminate" correctly during the third round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee Dr. Ed Low, professor emeritus of English, Metropolitan State University of Denver, takes photos during the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Amber Born, 14, of Marblehead, Mass., center, celebrates with a friend after learning that she will advance to the semifinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Grace Remmer, Himanvi Kopuri, Kuvam Nirad Shahane Grace Remmer, of St. Augustine, Fla., right, congratulates Himanvi Kopuri, of Denver, Colo., left, after it was announced that they both made the semifinal round of National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. At center is Kuvam Nirad Shahane, of Rochester Hills, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Vanya Shivashankar Vanya Shivashankar, of Olathe, Kan., puts on her medal after it was announced that she made the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. Shivashankar's sister, Kavya, won the Spelling Bee in 2009 and she is trying to become the first sibling of a champion to win the title. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Caleb Miller, Emily Keaton Caleb Miller, of Calhoun, La., right, gets a high-five from Emily Keaton, of Pikeville, Ken., left, after it was announced that they both made the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Rachael Cundey Rachael Cundey, of Evans, Ga., spells the word "lokshen" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Daichi Hayakawa Daichi Hayakawa of Sunto-Gun Nagaizumityou, Japan spells out the word "meistersinger" on his hand before spelling it correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Daichi Hayakawa Daichi Hayakawa of Sunto-Gun Nagaizumityou, Japan spells out the word "meistersinger" on his hand before spelling it correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Bryce Tasso Bryce Tasso, of Eagle River, Alaska spells the word "shrieval" correctly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Spelling Bee The Scripps National Spelling Bee trophy sits in wait for a winner at the start of the second round of competition in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Zerin Wetzel Zerin Wetzel of Fort Irwin, Calif., reacts after spelling the word "commissar" incorrectly during the second round of the National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Vanya Shivashankar Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant Vanya Shivashankar, 11, of Olathe, Kansas talks about her experience taking the Preliminaries Test during the first round of the contest in Oxon Hill, Md., Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Shivashankar's older sister Kavya Shivashankar won the Bee in 2009. The 86th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee took on new meaning Tuesday _ or rather, lots of meanings _ with organizers having decreed that the precocious youngsters need to prove they know the definitions of some of those tough words. The 281 competitors took a 45-minute computer test that probed their knowledge of spelling and vocabulary, with the results to be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Contestants in the Scripps National Spelling Bee take the preliminary test, which includes a vocabulary section this year, Tuesday, May 28,2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. The 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, with 281 youngsters taking the first vocabulary test in the history of the competition. Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Contestants in the Scripps National Spelling Bee take the preliminary test, which includes a vocabulary section this year, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. The 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, with 281 youngsters taking the first vocabulary test in the history of the competition. Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant Mary Elizabeth Horton, 12, of West Melbourne, Fla, speaks with a reporter following her completion of the Preliminaries Test in Oxon Hill, Md., Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Horton said of the addition of a vocabulary section to the test, "I think everybody wasn't expecting it … it definitely changes everything." Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Arvind Mahankali, Srinath Mahankali Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., left, departs with his younger brother Srinath, 9, after completing the Preliminaries Test phase of the Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Arvind finished 3rd in the Bee last year. Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Workers prepare the Gaylord National Hotel's ballroom in Oxon Hill, Maryland for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Contestants in the Scripps National Spelling Bee take the preliminary test, which includes a vocabulary section this year, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. The 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, with 281 youngsters taking the first vocabulary test in the history of the competition. Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Spelling Bee Contestants in the Scripps National Spelling Bee take the preliminary test, which includes a vocabulary section this year, Tuesday, May 28,2013, in Oxon Hill, Md. The 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, with 281 youngsters taking the first vocabulary test in the history of the competition. Spellers arrived Tuesday morning to take a 45-minute computer test that probes their knowledge of both spelling and vocabulary. The results will be combined with Wednesday's on-stage round to determine which spellers will advance to the semifinals Thursday. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Alotus Nguyen Wei, Alexis Wei, HueAnh Nguyen, Victor Wei Alotus Nguyen Wei, 11, from Lima, Ohio, right, is hugged by her sister Alexis Wei, accompanied by their parents HueAnh Nguyen center, and Victor Wei, center left, as she prepares to take the National Spelling Bee's Vocabulary Test in Oxon Hill, Md., Tuesday, May 28, 2013. The Spelling Bee takes on new meaning Tuesday. Or rather, a bunch of new meanings. The 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee gets underway with a vocabulary test, the first in the competition's history, a recently added wrinkle that had spellers changing their study plans on the fly. The results will be used to help determine who advances to the semifinals. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
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The faces of the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Maryland.

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