
Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from New Orleans, holds up her trophy after winning the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters

Zaila Avant-garde, 14, an eighth grader from New Orleans, reacts to winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Orlando, Fla., July 8, 2021.
Scott Mcintyre/Scott McIntyre/The New York Times via Redux Pictures

Ashrita Gandhari, 14, from Ashburn, Virginia competes during the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World, July 8, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
John Raoux/AP

Bhavana Madini, 13, from Plainview, N.Y., center, is comforted by family members after she was eliminated from the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World, July 8, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
John Raoux/AP

Vivinsha Veduru, 10, from Fort Worth, Texas, is eliminated in the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters

Dhroov Bharatia, 12, from Dallas, reacts after correctly spelling a word during the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters

The 11 finalists of the Scripps National Spelling Bee sit on stage as the Finals begins, during a visit by First Lady Jill Biden, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 8, 2021.
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Vivinsha Veduru, 10, from Fort Worth, Texas, takes part in the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters

First Lady Jill Biden, wearing a face mask due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sits with family members of a contestant during the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters

First Lady Jill Biden speaks during the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 8, 2021.
Joe Skipper/Reuters