California Teen Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee Triumph
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Rancho Cucamonga, California — On Thursday, 14-year-old Shrey Parikh won the Scripps National Spelling Bee after prevailing in a 90-second eliminatory spell-off, correctly spelling 32 words to claim the $50,000 prize. He defeated 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta of Jersey City, New Jersey, who correctly spelled 25 words from the same list after being sequestered during Parikh's turn. Organizers said the winning word was 'bromocriptine,' defined by Merriam-Webster Unabridged as a polypeptide alkaloid derived from ergot that mimics dopamine.
Both finalists advanced to the televised, three-day finale at DAR Constitution Hall after surviving 18 rounds without misspelling a word; Parikh reached the tiebreaker by correctly spelling 'Philepitta,' a genus of Madagascan birds, while Gupta matched him in the 18th round with 'Ertebolle,' a term for an Early Neolithic or Late Mesolithic culture in the Baltic region. Organizers introduced the spell-off in 2021 after the 2019 contest ended with eight co-champions. Some 247 finalists, all aged 15 or younger, took part in the national competition.
More context
Timeline
- 1. 2019: Eight co-champions in Scripps Bee lead to format review.
- 2. 2021: Organizers introduce a 90‑second eliminatory spell-off tiebreaker.
- 3. 2024: Shrey Parikh placed third at the national competition.
- 4. May 28, 2025: Parikh wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee in a spell-off.
- 5. May 28, 2025: Event organizers confirm 'bromocriptine' as the winning word.
Why it matters
This story highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving success. If you have kids, it's a great example to show them that dedication pays off. Encourage them to pursue their interests, whether it's spelling, sports, or science.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
