14-year-old Harini Logan wins 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee
W-i-n-n-e-r.
Fourteen-year-old Harini Logan won the Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday night after prevailing in the competition's first-ever 90-second spell-off.
Logan spelled 21 out of 26 words in the speed round correctly, while her opponent, 12-year-old Vikram Raju, managed just 15 out of 19, The New York Times reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The San Antonio native said her victory felt "so surreal."
"This is such a dream, this is my fourth bee and I'm just so overwhelmed," she went on. Logan was initially eliminated in the competition's word meaning round, only to be reinstated after the judges concluded her provided definition of "pullulation" was not actually incorrect.
"Harini getting out was horrible and unexpected," reigning Bee champion Zaila Avant-garde, 15, said of the near-elimination. "Everybody literally screamed when that bell rung."
Once back in the game, however, Logan breezed the competition, the Times writes, "confidently spelling words like charadriiform and tauromachian."
For her prize, the new spelling champion received a $50,000 check and a trophy. Raju, meanwhile, told Bee host LeVar Burton that he'd be back to try again next year.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Second Amendment enthusiast Donald Trump has little new to say on guns
The Explainer Trump opposes a ban on assault weapons and strengthening background checks, but supports teachers carrying weapons in school
By David Faris Published
-
When does it make sense to refinance your student loans?
The Explainer Refinancing involves moving your existing student loans into one new loan, which can streamline how many different payments you are juggling each month.
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Why has the Taliban banned pictures of living things?
Under The Radar 'Virtue' ministry says banned images are contrary to sharia law
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published