243 Spellers Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Across US Territories

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is currently underway in National Harbor, Maryland, featuring top spellers from across the United States, including local contestants from Kansas City, San Diego, Los Angeles County, and Orange County. Among the participants are Adele Gibbens, Beckett Griffin, William Henley, and Natalie Linthicum from the Kansas City area, as well as eighth grader Duaa Ouznali from San Diego, who qualified by winning the San Diego County regional. The competition structure includes initial spelling and vocabulary rounds, followed by a written test to determine advancement to the quarterfinals, with the first two rounds streamed online. Also competing are Kamya Balaji, Oliver Halkett, and Sydney Tran from Los Angeles and Orange counties, with Oliver returning for his second consecutive year after reaching the fourth round in 2024. The bee features 243 spellers from all 50 states and several U.S. territories and international locations, with contestants ranging in age from 8 to 14. Finals will be broadcast on ION Television, with winners expected to be announced Thursday night.