{"id":41603,"date":"2026-05-28T09:55:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T14:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/?p=41603"},"modified":"2026-05-28T12:08:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:08:28","slug":"scripps-spelling-bee-2026-finalists-and-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/scripps-spelling-bee-2026-finalists-and-winner\/","title":{"rendered":"Scripps Spelling Bee 2026 Finalists: Meet Indian-Origin Spellers Eyeing the Trophy Once Again"},"content":{"rendered":"
The 98th<\/sup> Scripps National Bee finalists are gearing up for the toughest spelling competition in Washington DC. The nine finalists include 5 spellers from Indian immigrants in America this year. Indian-origin spellers have been on a winning spree for the past three decades; precisely, the coveted trophy went to the Indian American community 30 times in the past 35 years. The 2019 Scripps Bee championship was unprecedently exceptional, as it had eight co-winners, including 6 Indian immigrant kids.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
9 spellers advanced to 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Aiden Meng, Danville, California<\/li>\n
Oliver Halkett, Los Angeles, California<\/li>\n
Shrey Parikh, San Bernardino, California<\/li>\n
Zwe Spacetime, Washington D.C.<\/li>\n
Sarv Dharavane, Tucker, Georgia<\/li>\n
Ishaan Gupta, Jersey City, New Jersey<\/li>\n
Kushi Gottimukkala, Charlotte, North Carolina<\/li>\n
Avishka Dudala, Dallas, Texas<\/li>\n
Logan Bailey, Houston, Texas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPC: Scripps National Spelling Bee | Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Sarv Dharavane, only 12 years old, is more determined and better prepared for the 2026 Scripps Spelling Bee trophy than the last year. He had finished third in the 2025 Scripps Bee finals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sarv is a bundle of energy and curiosity. Reading and playing outdoors are his favourite pursuits. Other than being active in soccer and swimming, he has earned a green belt in taekwondo. From solving Rubik\u2019s Cubes at a lightning speed to building with Lego and dabbling in coding, Sarv is a problem-solving prodigy. A diehard fan of fantasy books and movies, he aspires to be a scientist or mathematician.<\/p>\n
Ishaan Gupta, New Jersey<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Among the 2026 Scripps Spelling Bee finalists, Ishaan is a published author and a Gold Medal winner in STEM. He co-authored a climate fiction book \u2013 The Martian Miracle: Ivaan and the Climate Crisis. Interestingly, he has a personal library of over 650 books and a cozy reading corner in home. Biking and hiking are his favorite adventures. His achievements include two 5K marathons and 6-mile hikes (as part of the Appalachian Trail). Playing soccer and tennis is his favorite pastime.<\/p>\n