Indian-Origin Teen Dev Shah Wins $50,000 US Spelling Bee Prize

Dev Shah, a 14-year-old Indian-American correctly spelled the word “psammophile” to win the prestigious 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He is an eighth-grader from Florida,

By winning the 95th national bee he received the prize money of USD 50,000. The competition was held in National Harbour, Maryland.

Shah correctly spelled “psammophile,” a plant or animal that thrives in sandy areas, reported the Washington Post newspaper.

This was Shah’s third attempt. His previous two attempts were in 2019 and 2021.

Eleven students made the finals after 11 million people entered spelling competitions throughout the world. The preliminary rounds began on Tuesday, while the quarterfinals and semifinals took place on Wednesday.

Charlotte Walsh, a 14-year-old from Arlington, Virginia, was the runner-up.

The Spelling Bee, which features elementary and middle school students spelling words that would cause most adults to stumble, has had a tumultuous few years. The National Spelling Bee was launched in 1925.