Drama and Delight: The Faces of the National Spelling Bee

Reading & Literacy Photos

Drama and Delight: The Faces of the National Spelling Bee

By Jaclyn Borowski — May 31, 2024 1 min read

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts to a fellow competitor's word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts to a fellow competitor's word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024.
Nathan Howard/AP

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The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee came down to a high-stakes spell-off, where the final two contestants had 90 seconds to spell as many of the announced words as possible. Ultimately, Bruhat Soma, a 12-year-old from Tampa, Fla., came away the winner. Here, a look at the faces behind the event.

Audience members hold signs before the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Audience members hold signs before the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP

Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 13, of Richmond, Texas, left, high-fives Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., center, and Aditi Muthukumar, 13, of Westminster, Colo., right, while competing during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 13, of Richmond, Texas, left, high-fives Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., center, and Aditi Muthukumar, 13, of Westminster, Colo., right, while competing during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Nathan Howard/AP

Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, of Apex, N.C., reacts while competing during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, of Apex, N.C., reacts while competing during the finals.
Nathan Howard/AP

Members of the audience point out a child who has a talent to share during a break in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Members of the audience point out a child who has a talent to share during a break in the finals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, pauses in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, pauses during the finals of the contest.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP

Officials confer during a break in competition in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Officials confer during a break in competition in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Nathan Howard/AP

Previously eliminated spellers react to the announcement of a spell-off during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Previously eliminated spellers react to the announcement of a spell-off near the conclusion of the bee—when finalists must spell as many words correctly as possible.
Nathan Howard/AP

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., stands amid confetti after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024. — Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., stands amid confetti after winning the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee. (Can you spell W-I-N-N-E-R?)
Nathan Howard/AP

Jaclyn Borowski

Director of Photography & Videography, Education Week

Jaclyn Borowski is the director of photography and videography for Education Week.

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