Tag: Spelling Bee

2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee: The 8 best reaction photos from the kids in the competition

The Spelling Bee always gives us the best reaction shots.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee always gives us so much drama with an occasional sprinkle of humor.

Eventually, the heartbreak of missed words by the competitors gives way to some joy at the end when a champion is crowned.

We’re here to focus on the joy as these talented, smart kids deal with the pressure of having to spell tough words in front of a camera and an audience, not to mention their peers. It’s a lot! So let’s take a look at some of the photos of their celebrations and happiness as this year’s edition of the spelling bee continues.

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: William Rausch, 13, of Royalton, Minnesota reacts after correctly spelling his word in the

quarterfinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the first three rounds of the competition 148 spellers participated in the quarterfinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Jashit Verma, 9, of Memphis, Tennessee, reacts during thequarterfinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the first three rounds of the competition 148 spellers participated in the quarterfinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Spellers congratukate one another after completing the quarterfinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the first three rounds of the competition 148 spellers participated in the quarterfinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) 

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Ananya Prassanna, 13, Charlotte, North Carolina, reacts after correctly spelling a word during the semifinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the quarterfinals of the competition 45 spellers participated in the semifinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Ananya Prassanna, 13, Charlotte, North Carolina, reacts after correctly spelling a word during the semifinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the quarterfinals of the competition 45 spellers participated in the semifinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) 

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Faizan Zaki, 12, of Dallas, Texas (R), runs to hug Aryan Khedkar (L), 13, of Waterford, Michigan, after Aryan’s elimanation from the semifinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the quarterfinals of the competition 45 spellers participated in the semifinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – MAY 29: Faizan Zaki, 12, of Dallas, Texas, reacts after correctly spelling a word during the semifinals of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. After passing the quarterfinals of the competition 45 spellers participated in the semifinals during the second day of the competition. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) 

 

May 29, 2024; National Harbor, Maryland, USA; Jashit Verma, 9, from Farmington Elementary School in Germantown, Tennessee, makes his way into Round 5 with zygantrumduring spelled correctly during the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee quarterfinals at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on May 29, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY 

Can you spell the ultra-difficult 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion’s winning word?

Can you spell the word that won the Scripps National Spelling Bee for Dev Shah?

The answer to my question above is: No, no I could not. Spelling Bees are not my forte, despite working with words every day.

Dev Shah, an eighth-grader from Largo, Florida, spelled the winning word on Thursday night and claimed the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee title. Congrats!

As to the word? Well, I’m going to try my best to hide the actual spelling so you can test yourself against the 14-year-old. And as you can see, Shah seemed to know it when he heard it, which is always exciting.

So, check it out and stop the video before he starts to try spelling it:

READY?

Here it is:

Psammophile.

Saints fan Anthony Mackie salutes spelling bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, invokes Drew Brees

Saints fan Anthony Mackie salutes spelling bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, invokes Drew Brees

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It’s a good week to be a Saints fan. Between Zaila Avant-garde’s historic victory at the Scripps National Spelling Bee and Dustin Poirier’s win over Conor McGregor at UFC 264, Louisianans are on the rise. New Orleans’ own Anthony Mackie, a leading actor for Marvel Studios’ “Avengers” projects, was hosting the 2021 ESPY’s Awards with Avant-garde in attendance while Poirier was pummeling McGregor on Saturday night.

And Mackie didn’t let the moment pass by unnoticed. He congratulated Avant-garde on her success while also recognizing her skills as a basketball prodigy and owner of multiple world records,

“I’m most excited tonight because one of my favorite athletes from New Orleans is in the house. Sorry Drew Brees, you’re old news, alright” Mackie joked. “You don’t count no more. I’m talking about the spelling bee champ.”

But he didn’t let the opportunity for some ribbing to pass by, either. From one New Orleanian to another, he quipped: “That’s NOLA’s finest right there, but I’ma let you pass for being from across that river though, we don’t got to talk about that.” For those not in the know, that’s a friendly jab in the West Bank-East Bank rivalry, referring to the opposing sides of the Mississippi River — with Mackie doing his part to represent his Mid-City roots in the East.

Still, it’s great to see them all thriving in a big spot. Avant-garde, 14, has already lived up to an all-time-great name with her accomplishments but has a bright future with all of the college scholarship offers pouring in. Mackie is lined up to star in many more feature films. And Poirier wasn’t satisfied with a win by doctor’s stoppage against McGregor; he’s already eager to meet his rival again in the octagon. The Saints themselves might be keeping quiet ahead of training camp, but the people who make their fanbase great are as busy as ever.

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