Dev Shah, 14 of Largo, Florida, spells the winning word (psammophile) and becomes the winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on June 01, 2023.
The National Spelling Bee is intense. Over 11 million kids take part in the spelling bee circuit across the country. Eventually, 200 spellers advance to the national stage. However, it’s not easy to qualify. First, you must win your class, school, and regional bees. You must study tens of thousands of words, learn roots, and dissect language patterns. Most importantly—you have to learn how to manage your nerves. But ultimately, it’s a great achievement to get to participate.
So, when I got the chance to return to the competition, I seized it. Eligibility only lasts until the 8th grade, so this year was my final chance to take part. That’s a lot of pressure for a 14-year-old. Nevertheless, I held my chin high and performed under extreme pressure.
Enduring the demands of the spelling bee requires serious mental stamina. Not only does it take years to prepare, but the competition itself lasts an entire week. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with it all, but I coped by taking things one step at a time. When I was studying, I directed my energy towards studying. I tried my best not to get worked up by the approaching competition date in a month. When I was in the early rounds of the competition, I focused solely on that. I steered my mind away from the future and the past and just stayed in the present.