CINCINNATI, May 30, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Bruhat (BROO-haht SOH-muh) Soma, a 12-year-old
speller from Tampa, Florida, is
the champion of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee after
winning the competition's second spell-off to date.
Soma correctly spelled 29 out of 30 words attempted to earn the
coveted champion title and beat the standing spell-off record set
by Harini Logan in 2022 Logan
spelled 22 out of 26 words correctly during the competition's
first-ever spell-off.
His championship word was "abseil", which is defined
as "descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a
projection above."
"As the competition progressed, it was clear that Faizan and
Bruhat – our final two spellers – showed up tonight ready to take
down the dictionary," said Corrie
Loeffler, executive director of the Bee. "Together, they
were a powerful match. Bee officials activated the spell-off in the
competition's closing minutes, giving these stellar spellers an
opportunity to show even more of what they can do."
The two final spellers each had 90 seconds to spell as many
words as they could from a predetermined list of words while the
other speller was sequestered.
Adam Symson, president and CEO of
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), presented Soma with the
championship trophy.
Watch the winning moment.
"At just 12 years old, Bruhat impressed with
his display of knowledge and composure," Symson said. "Scripps
is proud to celebrate his achievement and that of all the spellers.
Their remarkable determination and persistence are a big part of
what makes the Bee such an iconic cultural touchstone, with
millions of fans tuning in live to connect with these students –
embracing them in their defeats and celebrating them in their
victories."
This was Soma's third time participating in the Scripps National
Spelling Bee. He tied for 74th in 2023 and tied for 163rd in
2022.
Soma, a 7th grader at Turner/Bartels K-8 School, was sponsored
by Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund.
The champion receives:
- From Scripps: a $50,000 cash
prize, commemorative medal and the Scripps Cup, the official
championship trophy of the Scripps National Spelling Bee;
- From Merriam-Webster: a
$2,500 cash prize and reference
library from the Bee's dictionary partner;
- From Encyclopædia Britannica: $400 of reference works, including a 1768
Encyclopædia Britannica Replica Set and a three-year membership to
Britannica Online Premium;
- From SugarBee® Apple: $350 prize
package including a SugarBee Apple gift basket and $250 gift card;
- From Scholastic: $1,000
Scholastic Dollars to be donated to the school of the champion's
choice in their honor.
Faizan Zaki of Allen, Texas, representing Dallas Sports
Commission, placed second in the competition and will receive
$25,000. He correctly spelled 20 of
25 words attempted in the spell-off.
Shrey Parikh of Rancho Cucamonga, California,
representing San Bernardino County Superintendent of
Schools, tied for third place in the competition and will
receive $12,500.
Ananya Prassanna of Apex, North
Carolina, representing Carolina Panthers, tied for
third place in the competition and will receive $12,500.
The 96th Scripps National Spelling Bee took place at the Gaylord
National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor,
Maryland. Competition began
Tuesday with 245 spellers. Round-by-round results are available
at spellingbee.com.
Photos from the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee are available
on the Scripps National Spelling Bee's Flickr page at
flickr.com/scrippsbee/.
Watch the finals again on Scripps News
The finals aired exclusively on Scripps Networks, which includes
popular entertainment networks ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION
Mystery and Laff as well as its free, ad-supported streaming
channels ION Plus, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra and Laff More. A
rebroadcast of the finals will be available on Scripps News on
May 31 from 10
p.m. to midnight and again June
1 from midnight to 2 a.m. The
Scripps Networks can be found free over-the-air as well as on
cable, satellite and streaming platforms.
Media contact: Becca
McCarter, 513-410-2425, Rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com
About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's largest and
longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. By
inspiring the exploration of words, the Scripps National Spelling
Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic
achievement and enriches communities.
Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the
Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a
not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ:
SSP).
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps
Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company
focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's
largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with
quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of
more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households
across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court
TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION
Mystery and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of
broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps
National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps' long-time motto
is: "Give light and the people will find their own way."
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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company