Tampa, FL, April 11, 2025: A Florida family is challenging the integrity of the spelling bee system after their 12-year-old daughter, Amara Chepuri, was disqualified from the Tampa Bay regional spelling bee—despite initially being declared the winner.
Amara, who clinched the top spot by correctly spelling the word “sashay,” was later stripped of her win by contest organizers. The trophy and a coveted spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee were instead awarded to the runner-up, Vlada Kozhevnikova.
The decision to disqualify Amara stemmed from an earlier round at her school-level competition, where she misspelled the word “pallbearer” and was eliminated. According to her parents, the word was not on the pre-approved study list provided to contestants, and therefore, the ruling was unjust…