WASHINGTON: A 14-year-old Indian-American teenager from Florida, Dev Shah,  has won the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United states, by correctly spelling the word "psammophile" -- an organism that lives in sandy areas. 

On Thursday evening, Shah, a student from Largo, became the winner of the 95th national bee and the $50,000 prize, as per BBC reports. The runner-up was 14-year-old Charlotte Walsh from Arlington, Virginia. She failed to correctly spell "daviely" in an earlier round.

Notably, 11 students made the finals after 11 million people entered spelling competitions, said the organisers.
In 2022, Harini Logan, an Indian-American from San Antonio, Texas, won the first-ever spell-off at the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee against Vikram Raju getting 21 of 26 words right. 

Indian-American students have dominated the competition and have won every Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2008. The Spelling Bee has seen a total of 26 winners, comprising a historic win of seven out of eight students of Indian origin in 2019.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual spelling competition held in the United States. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and competitive spelling bees in the country. The event is organized by the E.W. Scripps Company and has been a prominent part of American academic culture since its inception in 1925.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee brings together top spellers from across the United States, ranging from elementary school to middle school students. Participants qualify for the national bee by winning local and regional competitions. The contestants showcase their exceptional spelling abilities by correctly spelling a wide range of challenging words, often of various origins and languages.

The format of the Scripps National Spelling Bee consists of multiple rounds, with spellers taking turns to spell words given to them by the pronouncer. Contestants may request word definitions, language of origin, and usage in a sentence to aid them in their spelling. As the rounds progress, the difficulty of the words increases, leading to intense competition and nail-biting moments.

Over the years, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has gained significant popularity and media attention. It has been televised nationally, allowing audiences to witness the impressive linguistic skills and determination of young spellers. The competition not only celebrates academic excellence but also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among the participants.

Winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a remarkable achievement for any participant. The champion not only receives a trophy but also earns a cash prize, educational scholarships, and various other rewards. The Scripps National Spelling Bee has become a platform for young wordsmiths to showcase their linguistic prowess and inspire others to develop a love for language and learning.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a highly esteemed annual event that showcases the exceptional spelling skills of young students from across the United States. It has become an iconic symbol of academic excellence and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the participants.