It was necessary to tie the scores, but Harini Logan (8th grade) was declared the new spelling champ on Thursday night.
In the Scripps National Bee’s inaugural lightning round, she correctly spelled “moorhen”, a bird.
She said, “This is exactly such a dream.” “Wow! “Wow!
Harini of San Antonio correctly spells 22 words in the 90 second speed round. Vikram Raju of Colorado did not do so.
Harini defeated 12 other finalists to win the $50,000 first-place prize in National Harbor, Maryland just outside Washington, D.C.
After the lightning round, the judges confirmed that the correct words were used. After both finalist were left with only two words, the judges confirmed the correct words.
Harini described the experience as “surreal.” She is competing in her fourth bee. It was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19
Vikram (12 years old) could be back. He is eligible for another year and has already competed in two spelling bees.
