Arvind Mahankali, a Queens native, has won the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee, after correctly spelling his final word “knaidel”.
Arvind Mahankali spells his word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2013.
Via: Cliff Owen / AP
Arvind Mahankali takes home a $30,000 prize, a $2,500 U.S. savings bond from Merriam-Webster, $2,000 worth of reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica, and a huge trophy. Plus the respect of spelling enthusiasts everywhere. Tonight's eleven finalists
Arvind Mahankali and Pranav Sivakumar, 13, after learning that they will advance to the semifinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2013.
Via: Cliff Owen / AP
A dedicated speller, Arvind Mahankali finished in third place the past two years and in ninth place in 2010.
