ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SPELLER
14-Year Old Wins Scripps Spelling Bee With ‘Psammophile’

This a clip of 14-year old Dev Shah clenching victory in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling ‘psammophile’ (pronounced sam-a-file, a plant or animal that prefers or thrives in sandy areas). He knew from the very start that he had it. Way to go, Dev. For reference, I would have spelled it with an S, then bent the microphone stand over my knee and stage-dived into the audience when I got it wrong. It’s probably better Dev won.