Students are competing in the century-old Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington. This year’s spellers come from all 50 states, D.C., three U.S. territories and five other countries.
Minna Danziger, 13, of Suttons Bay, Mich., spells her word as she competes during the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Minna Danziger, 13, of Suttons Bay, Mich., spells her word as she competes during the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Josh Verma, 11, of Germantown, Tenn., reacts after spelling his word during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Josh Verma, 11, of Germantown, Tenn., reacts after spelling his word during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Keona-Dannette Osae-Twum, 13, of Waldwick, N.J.,, spells her word as she competes during the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Keona-Dannette Osae-Twum, 13, of Waldwick, N.J.,, spells her word as she competes during the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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A competitor fiddles with their hands during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
A competitor fiddles with their hands during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Behind the scenes of the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Behind the scenes of the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Zwe Spacetime, 14, of Fort Washington, Md., competes during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Zwe Spacetime, 14, of Fort Washington, Md., competes during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Parents react to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Parents react to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Shruthi Ayyagari, 14, of Aurora, Ill., highfives another competitor during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Shruthi Ayyagari, 14, of Aurora, Ill., highfives another competitor during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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A competitor wears bee socks during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
A competitor wears bee socks during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Sarah Fernandes, 14, of Omaha, Neb., competes during the first preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Sarah Fernandes, 14, of Omaha, Neb., competes during the first preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Sanil Thorat, 10, of Shreveport, La., talks with other competitors during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Sanil Thorat, 10, of Shreveport, La., talks with other competitors during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Charlie Huang, 12, of Oak Park, Calif., competes during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Charlie Huang, 12, of Oak Park, Calif., competes during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Anay Mahesh, 13, of Orlando, Fla., reacts after answering incorrectly during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Anay Mahesh, 13, of Orlando, Fla., reacts after answering incorrectly during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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Sanil Thorat, 10, of Shreveport, La., reacts after answering correctly during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Sanil Thorat, 10, of Shreveport, La., reacts after answering correctly during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
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