Each year, kids from across the country compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee with hopes of being named the winner. For one lucky contestant, that victory will come on Thursday.
Beginning in 1925, the National Spelling Bee is one of the nation's oldest and most iconic competitions. Out of hundreds of students competing in second and third rounds, only 50 spellers advance to the finals.
Held at The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, the final competition will take place on Thursday. Spellers could reserve up to three tickets for their guests to attend the final round and the public could attend on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doors were set to open around 7:45 p.m. EDT and the final round will begin at 8:00 p.m. EDT with opening remarks. The competition portion of the evening was estimated to start around 8:30 p.m. EDT.
Each round of the competition has been broadcast on ESPN's channels and the final segment will be no different. Fans who couldn't make it to the Spelling Bee in person can tune in via ESPN on their television, the ESPN website or through the WatchESPN app.
To access content on ESPN's website and WatchESPN, viewers may be asked to provide valid login credentials for a network television provider.
All spellers will receive a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, a 2019 United States Mint Proof Set and a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium.
Finalists all receive a commemorative medal and gift cards for varying amounts based on how far they made it in the competition, outlined as:
- Misspell in Rounds 4 through 6 - $500 gift card
- Misspell in Round 7 through to 7th place - $2,000
- 6th place - $2,500
- 5th place - $5,000
- 4th place - $10,000
- 3rd place - $15,000
- 2nd place - $25,000
The Scripps National Spelling Bee gives the champion an engraved trophy and a cash prize of $50,000. In addition, the champion receives a $2,500 cash prize and reference library from Merriam-Webster. They also receive $400 of reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica and a three-year membership to Britannica Online Premium.
Prizes don't stop there though and the winner and one parent get a trip to New York City to appear on Live with Kelly and Ryan and a trip to Hollywood to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Last year, Karthik Nemmani from McKinney, Texas, won the competition by correctly spelling the word koinonia, a term referring to Christian fellowship or communion.
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