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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ben Nuckols

On spelling's saddest day, hyped National Spelling Bee competitors see their hopes dashed

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

When Achyut Ethiraj's final appearance in the Scripps National Spelling Bee ended far earlier than he anticipated, the 14-year-old grimaced at the microphone, walked off the stage quietly and exited the ballroom with his mother's arm draped around his back.

Achyut had plenty of company among the more than 100 spellers eliminated on Wednesday, spelling's saddest day.

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