NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – An I-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-V-E student from Hampton Roads competed in the 96th Scripps National Spelling Bee and it wasn’t his first trip.
Rohith Konduri, an 8th grader at Norfolk Academy, was eliminated during the semi-finals Wednesday night, finishing tied for ninth place.
The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee had 245 contestants. Spellers represented all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virginia Islands and DOD schools in Europe. 11 competitors were from Virginia this year, including Rohith. They were all vying for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.
Rohith earned his spot on the national stage by becoming the champion of the 2024 WHRO Spelling Bee in Norfolk, competing against more than 50 other spellers. He also took first place in the regional bee last year. At the 2023 National Spelling Bee he tied for 12th place.
According to his National Spelling Bee bio, Rohith has many talents in addition to being a super speller. He plays the piano and saxophone, rows, reads and enjoys sudoku and volunteering.
National Spelling Bee Schedule
The preliminary rounds began on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. It took place all day, from 8 a.m. until 7:40 p.m.
Quarterfinals were held on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by the semifinals the same day, from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The finals are happening Thursday from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Dev Shah, a 14-year-old from Florida, became the 2023 National champ after 15 rounds, by correctly spelling the word “psammophile.”
How to Watch
Who will win this year? Here’s how to watch.
All of the rounds are being broadcast on ION platforms. Click here for details on how to watch ion.
