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The 8 Super-Spellers: Meet The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finalists Who Broke The Record

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The Scripps National Spelling Bee is not just a competition; it is an annual crucible of linguistic genius, and the 2024 event, which concluded on May 30, 2024, delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in its history. The spotlight shone brightly on a small group of super-spellers who navigated a treacherous dictionary of words to reach the final stage. Their journey culminated in a rare, record-breaking tiebreaker that captivated millions, showcasing the intense dedication and sheer vocabulary power required to become a national champion.

This year’s final round was a masterclass in high-stakes competition, pitting the best young minds against words of increasing obscurity. The eight finalists, whittled down from hundreds of spellers, demonstrated a mastery of etymology, roots, and language patterns that few adults could match. Their stories—of relentless preparation and a passion for language—cemented their place as the new stars of the National Spelling Bee.

Bruhat Soma: The Champion’s Redemption Story

The 2024 champion, Bruhat Soma, brought a compelling narrative of perseverance to the stage, turning a previous defeat into a historic victory. His win was not just a personal triumph but a testament to the power of learning from past challenges.

Bruhat Soma Biography & Profile

  • Name: Bruhat Soma
  • Age: 12 years old (at the time of the competition)
  • Hometown/Residence: Tampa, Florida
  • Grade Level: Seventh Grade
  • Sponsor: Center for Gifted Education at the College of William & Mary
  • Previous Bee Appearances: Competed in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, where he finished as the runner-up in a spell-off to Dev Shah.
  • Winning Method: Record-breaking spell-off (29 words spelled correctly in 90 seconds).
  • Prize: Over $50,000 in cash and prizes, including $50,000 from Scripps, a $2,500 cash prize and reference library from Merriam-Webster, and $400 in reference books from Encyclopædia Britannica.

The 2024 Finalists: The Elite Eight

The final round of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee saw eight exceptional spellers compete for the championship title. These young scholars, representing different regions and schools, all shared a common bond of intense linguistic preparation. Their collective knowledge spanned thousands of words, from common English terms to obscure words derived from Latin, Greek, French, and German.

Here is the complete list of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee finalists who took the stage in National Harbor, Maryland:

  • Bruhat Soma (Tampa, Florida) - Champion
  • Faizan Zaki (Allen, Texas) - Runner-Up (The other competitor in the spell-off)
  • Rishabh Saha (Merced, California)
  • Shrey Parikh (Rancho Cucamonga, California)
  • Aditi Muthukumar (Westminster, Colorado)
  • YY Liang (New York, New York)
  • Ananya Prassanna (Charlotte, North Carolina)
  • Kirsten Santos (Las Vegas, Nevada)

The journey to the finals is a grueling process. It involves winning local, regional, and national qualifying rounds, often studying the *Words of the Champions* list, a key resource provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. For these finalists, the preparation was a multi-year commitment, involving countless hours of studying *roots and affixes*, practicing pronunciation, and understanding the precise origin and meaning of each word.

The Record-Breaking Spell-Off: A New Era of Competition

The 2024 Bee will forever be remembered for its dramatic conclusion: the second-ever "spell-off" in the competition's history. This tiebreaker rule is invoked when the final two spellers—Bruhat Soma and Faizan Zaki—exhaust the official word list without a clear winner.

The spell-off is a high-octane, 90-second round where both spellers race against the clock to correctly spell as many words as possible. The speller who correctly spells the most words in their allotted time is declared the champion. This format tests not only their knowledge but also their ability to perform under extreme pressure and time constraints, adding a dynamic, almost athletic element to the intellectual contest.

Bruhat Soma, who had been the runner-up in the 2023 spell-off, returned with a vengeance. His performance was nothing short of legendary. He correctly spelled a staggering 29 words in 90 seconds, setting a new record for the spell-off. His competitor, Faizan Zaki, a sixth-grader from Texas, also put up an impressive fight, correctly spelling 20 words. The nine-word margin highlighted Bruhat's focused, rapid-fire accuracy and his incredible redemption arc.

The words in the spell-off are often of extreme difficulty, testing the deepest reserves of the spellers' *vocabulary*. While the final word that secured Bruhat's victory was not a single, traditional championship word, his overall performance demonstrated an unparalleled mastery of the language. His final word of the spell-off was *abseil*, a term for a controlled descent down a rope, which perfectly symbolized his controlled, masterful climb to the top.

The Path to the Finals: Preparation and Topical Authority

What does it take to become one of the *Scripps National Spelling Bee finalists*? The preparation is a multi-layered process that goes far beyond memorizing a simple list. It involves building a deep *topical authority* in etymology and linguistic patterns. Spellers must master the study of *word origins* and the rules of different languages to predict the spelling of a word they may have never encountered.

Key Preparation Techniques Used by Elite Spellers

  • Mastering Roots and Affixes: Understanding Greek and Latin roots (e.g., *philo*, *hydro*, *contra*) allows spellers to logically deduce the spelling of complex words. This is a crucial strategy for tackling words outside the standard *Words of the Champions* study guide.
  • Simulated Competition: Many finalists, including Bruhat Soma, participate in mock spelling bees and simulated competition rounds to build confidence and manage the intense pressure of the spotlight. This practice helps them learn to ask for all the necessary information—language of origin, definition, and part of speech—before attempting to spell.
  • Flashcard and Study List Repetition: While not the only method, rigorous study of the official *School Spelling Bee Study List* and advanced *word lists* is the foundation. These lists are often broken down into difficulty levels, such as the "One Bee," "Two Bee," and "Three Bee" categories, to structure the learning process.
  • Learning from Past Winners: Studying the words and strategies of *notable past spelling bee winners* like Rebecca Sealfon, Jody-Anne Maxwell, and Anamika Veeramani provides historical context and a benchmark for success. The history of the Bee, which celebrated its 100th year recently, is a vital part of the spellers' education.

The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee finalists are more than just great spellers; they are dedicated scholars who have demonstrated a profound and disciplined commitment to the English language. Their performance, especially the thrilling spell-off, serves as a powerful inspiration for future generations of young linguists.

The 8 Super-Spellers: Meet the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finalists Who Broke the Record
spelling bee finalists
spelling bee finalists

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