EDUCATION

California Teen Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee Triumph

PUBLISHED May 29, 2026, 12:07 AM ET

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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.

By Neha R. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2019: Eight co-champions in Scripps Bee lead to format review.
2021: Organizers introduce a 90‑second eliminatory spell-off tiebreaker.
2024: Shrey Parikh placed third at the national competition.
May 28, 2025: Parikh wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee in a spell-off.
May 28, 2025: Event organizers confirm 'bromocriptine' as the winning word.

News Intelligence

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.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5

Who Benefited

Shrey Parikh benefited from the title, national recognition, and reported cash prize (reported as $50,000 by Reuters-based outlets), along with potential academic and publicity opportunities following his Scripps National Spelling Bee victory.

Who Impacted

Runner-up Ishaan Gupta and other finalists lost the championship title and associated top prize, and some local stakeholders experienced disappointment despite strong performances.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Who Impacted

Runner-up Ishaan Gupta and other finalists lost the championship title and associated top prize, and some local stakeholders experienced disappointment despite strong performances.