>>> WELCOME TO THE WITF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SPELLING BEE.

TODAY, 32 SPELLERS IN A WAY THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE ON WITF.

♪♪ OUT OF ABOUT 150 QUALIFYING FOURTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS FROM 11 COUNTIES, THESE SPELLERS SCORED THE HIGHEST ON A 50 WORD TEST THAT WOULD BE TYPICALLY BE TAKEN AT WITF.

BUT, THIS YEAR WITH THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC THE WRITTEN TEST WAS COMPLETELY VIRTUAL.

♪♪ >> I LIKED THAT THE TEST WAS SHORTER, BUT I MISSED THE ATMOSPHERE OF BEING IN PERSON.

>> I LIKED THE TEST BEING VIRTUAL.

I FEEL LIKE I WAS LESS STRESSED OUT ABOUT IT.

♪♪ >> I THINK IT ALL WENT SUPER SMOOTHLY.

MY BROTHER AND I ACTUALLY DID THE TEST AT THE SAME TIME.

WE RAN INTO NO PROBLEMS DOING IT.

SO, IT WAS GREAT.

>> OUR 33 TOP SPELLERS WOULD USUALLY MOVE ON TO AN ORAL BEE AT WITF THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF LIGHTS, CAMERAS, AND ACTION.

BUT, IN THIS TIME UNLIKE ANY OTHER, THE WITF CREW WILL WORK IN A MUCH SMALLER WAY, AND OUR TOP SPELLERS WILL COMPETE FROM THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWN HOMES.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL HOW WE'RE DOING IT.

IT'S PROBLEM SOLVING OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> I'M ACTUALLY HAPPY THERE'S STILL A SPELLING BEE BECAUSE, LIKE, I JUST DON'T LIKE WHEN THINGS GET POSTPONED.

>> I DEFINITELY THOUGHT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE A SPELLING BEE THIS YEAR.

SO, I JUST FELT AMAZING WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE IT, EVEN IF IT WAS ONLINE.

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE SPELLING BEE IN GENERAL.

>> ALTHOUGH THE 2021 BEE WON'T INVOLVE A STAGE OR A SET, OUR SPELLERS ARE STILL FEELING THE HEAT.

>> IF I HAD TO DESCRIBE IT IN JUST A COUPLE OF WORDS, I WOULD SAY ROLLERCOASTER.

IT'S THAT STOP AT THE VERY TOP OF THE ROLLERCOASTER WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NEXT.

>> I'M EXCITED, BUT I'M KIND OF NERVOUS IF I'M GONNA GET A WORD WRONG.

>> I HAVE TO SAY NERVE-WRACKING.

IT'S VERY INTENSE, AND I GET NERVOUS A LOT.

N-E-R-V-E-HYPEN-W-R-A-C-K-I-N-G. >> MANY OF THESE SPELLERS HAVE PUT IN COUNTLESS HOURS OF STUDYING.

>> I'VE BEEN STUDYING A LOT.

IN MY SPARE TIME, WHEN I WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FROM HOME WORK, I DO SPELLING.

I HOPE TO MAKE IT TO AT LEAST THE TOP TEN BECAUSE IT'S MY FIRST YEAR.

>> TODAY THEY'LL SEE IF THEIR HARD WORK WILL PAY OFF.

IF A SPELLER HEARS THE BELL DING -- [ BELL DINGS ] THEY'LL KNOW THEY SPELLED THE WORD INCORRECTLY.

>> DING!

IT'S A WEIRD NOISE.

IT'S A REALLY WEIRD NOISE.

>> FOR ONE SPECIAL SPELLER, THE BELL WILL NOT DING.

IN 2020, THAT SPELLER WAS VISETH MENG.

>> WE HAVE OUR CHAMPION.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> VISETH WAS SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON TO THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE NEAR WASHINGTON D.C., BUT LIKE MANY EVENTS IN 2020, IT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

>> IT WAS HEARTBREAKING, BUT EVERYBODY'S GOING THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT CHOICES IN THE PAST YEAR OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT PLANS THAT WERE MADE, AND HOW TO ADAPT THEM.

AND THAT WAS REALLY JUST THE ONLY CHOICE THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.

>> SO, WHEN THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE WAS CANCELLED, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT'S TERRIBLE.

BUT, I TRIED NOT TO LET IT GET ME DOWN TOO MUCH, AND I JUST FOCUSED ON THE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THIS IS THE LAST YEAR THAT I CAN DO THE SPELLING BEE.

SO, I HAVE TO GIVE IT ALL I GOT.

>> I'VE BEEN TO THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SPELLING BEE THREE TIMES.

THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH TIME.

>> THIS YEAR, WITF'S 2020 CHAMP IS BACK, AND SO IS THE NATIONAL BEE.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO COMPETE.

SO, THAT'S THE MANDATE FROM THE SPELLERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, OUR CHIEF CONSTITUENTS, YOU KNOW.

THEY'VE BEEN SAYING JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN, AND WE'RE GONNA DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE IT'S A REALLY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS THIS YEAR.

>> THE 2021 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE WILL CONSIST OF THREE LEVELS OF VIRTUAL COMPETITION.

THE TOP 10-12 FINALISTS WILL THEN PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL ROUNDS IN PERSON.

>> OUR FINALS WILL TAKE PLACE IN ORLANDO.

THE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX.

ESPN AND DISNEY HAS HAD SOME EXPERIENCE IN THIS ALREADY.

THEY'VE HAD EVENTS LIKE THE NBA LAST YEAR WAS HELD THERE.

SO, THEY REALLY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE IN MAKING SURE THAT EVENTS GO WELL WITH COVID PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.

I ACTUALLY COMPETED WHEN I WAS A KID, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT STICKS WITH YOU YOUR WHOLE LIFE.

I COMPLETED IN SIXTH GRADE, SEVENTH GRADE, AND EIGHTH GRADE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY, I WORK FOR THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE NOW SO IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I ENJOYED.

IT'S SUCH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY.

>> AN OPPORTUNITY THAT TODAY'S WINNER WILL HAVE.

COMPETING IN THE WITF CENTRAL PA SPELLING BEE IN THIS WAY MAY FEEL A BIT DIFFERENT, BUT FOR THESE KIDS THAT HAVE ALREADY ADAPTED TO SO MUCH, WE KNOW THEY'LL RISE TO THE OCCASION.

>> HAVE FUN WITH IT, AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

>> NOW, LET'S WATCH AS THE WITF CENTRAL PA SPELLING BEE BEGINS.

♪♪ >> Announcer: SUPPORT FOR WITF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SPELLING BEE IS PROVIDED BY -- THE HERSHEY COMPANY.

WHOSE SHARED GOODNESS PROMISE BEGINS WITH A COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN.

FROM THE MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL TO COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE.

ONLINE AT THEHERSHEYCOMPANY.COM.

YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, WHICH SUPPORTS THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE STARTING FROM DAY ONE.

EXHIBITED BY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION.

MORE AT YCP.EDU.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

LUCKY.

IT IS AN ADJECTIVE.

PRODUCING OR RESULTING IN GOOD BY CHANCE.

OR HAVING A QUALITY BELIEVED TO PRODUCE SUCCESS OR GOOD FORTUNE.

BEFORE THE SPELLING BEE, CONNIE MADE SURE HER LUCKY COIN WAS IN HER POCKET.

>> LUCKY.

L-U-C-K-Y.

LUCKY.

>> CORRECT.

>> STRAW.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT PLEASE?

>> STRAW.

>> STRAW.

S-T-R-A-W.

STRAW.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

GROOM.

IT IS A VERB.

TO MAINTAIN THE HEALTH AND CONDITION OF AN ANIMAL'S COAT, SUCH AS A DOG BY BRUSHING AND COMBING.

EVERY DAY, MIRA AND GRACE GROOM KIYA'S COAT UNTIL IT SHINES SLEEKLY.

>> GROOM.

G-R-O-O-M. >> CORRECT.

>> RULES.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE?

>> RULES.

>> RULES.

R-U-L-E-S. RULES.

>> CORRECT.

>> TRUTH.

>> TRUTH.

T-R-U-T-H.

TRUTH.

>> CORRECT.

>> PUZZLES.

>> PUZZLES.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS, TOYS DESIGNED FOR TESTING INGENUITY.

>> PUZZLES.

P-U-Z-Z-L-E-S.

PUZZLES.

>> CORRECT.

>> TALENT.

>> TALENT.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A SPECIAL INNATE OR DEVELOPED APTITUDE FOR AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED ACTIVITY, USUALLY OF A CREATIVE OR ARTISTIC NATURE.

>> TALENT.

T-A-L-E-N-T.

TALENT.

>> CORRECT.

>> PIGSTY.

>> PIGSTY.

P-I-G-S-T-Y.

PIGSTY.

>> CORRECT.

>> SELFIE.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN IMAGE OF ONE'S SELF, TAKEN BY ONE'S SELF USING A DIGITAL CAMERA.

>> SELFIE.

S-E-L-F-I-E. SELFIE.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

RAVEN.

IT IS AN ADJECTIVE.

A LARGE GLOSSY BLACK BIRD THAT IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.

THE RAVEN IS A COMMON SYMBOL OF BAD LUCK IN MYTHOLOGY AND LITERATURE.

>> RAVEN.

R-A-V-E-N. RAVEN.

>> CORRECT.

>> ALOHA.

>> ALOHA.

COULD I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> LOVE, AFFECTION, KINDNESS.

OFTEN USED TO EXPRESS GREETING OR FAREWELL.

>> ALOHA.

A-L-O-H-A.

ALOHA.

>> CORRECT.

>> JUMBO.

>> JUMBO.

J-U-M-B-O.

JUMBO.

>> CORRECT.

>> BAGPIPE.

>> MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONSISTING OF A DOUBLE REED MELODY PIPE AND ONE OR MORE SINGLE DRONE PIPES THAT ARE SOUNDED BY AIR FROM A FLEXIBLE BAG.

>> BAGPIPE.

B-A-G-P-I-P-E. BAGPIPE.

>> CORRECT.

>> OVERRUN.

>> OVERRUN.

O-V-E-R-R-U-N. OVERRUN.

>> CORRECT.

>> SUNSEEKER.

>> SUNSEEKER.

S-U-N-S-E-E-K-E-R. SUNSEEKER.

>> CORRECT.

>> SCALP.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> THE PART OF THE COVERING OF THE HUMAN HEAD USUALLY COVERED WITH HAIR.

>> SCALP.

S-C-A-L-P. SCALP.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >>> HI, MY NAME IS BIONCA VINGH, AND I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE.

MY FAVORITE WORD IS SPONTANEOUS.

SPONTANEOUS MEANS KIND OF, LIKE, OUT OF THE BLUE.

I JUST REALLY LIKE BEING ACTIVE.

I PLAY BASKETBALL FOR COPALICA MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I'VE BEEN PLAYING SINCE A LITTLE BEFORE THIRD GRADE, AND I REALLY ENJOY IT.

I'M STILL PLAYING NOW, AND I'M ON THE TRAVEL TEAM.

I ALSO PLAY VOLLEYBALL IN THE FALL.

AND I JUST STARTED THAT THIS YEAR, AND I REALLY ENJOY IT.

I ALSO HAVE A BUSINESS.

I SELL LIKE BEAUTY PRODUCTS LIKE LIP GLOSS, LIP SCRUBS, BODY SCRUBS, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I JUST BUY THE, UM, INGREDIENTS, AND THEN I MAKE IT MYSELF.

AND I SELL IT ONLINE.

MY SISTER HELPS ME, UM, A LITTLE BIT.

SHE'S AROUND TEN YEARS OLD.

YEAH, SHE'S TEN.

AND SHE HELPS ME, UM, CREATE THE PRODUCTS, AND SHE ALSO HELPS WITH THE TREASURY TOO.

SHE'S LIKE MY BEST FRIEND WHENEVER WE NEED TO TALK.

OUR RELATIONSHIP IS REALLY CLOSE AND REALLY NEAT.

I ALSO PLAY SAXOPHONE FOR MY SCHOOL BAND.

AND I'VE BEEN PLAYING SINCE FOURTH GRADE.

I GOT INTO IT BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALLY LIKE PLAYING THAT INSTRUMENT.

SO, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL FOR ME TO TRY IT OUT.

AND I REALLY STARTED LIKING IT, AND I IMPROVED A LOT OVER THE PAST YEARS.

I'M ALSO IN STUDENT COUNCIL, AND I'VE BEEN IN SINCE SECOND GRADE.

WITH THE WHOLE CORONAVIRUS AND THE PANDEMIC, I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT WHEN IT STARTED.

BUT, I GOT REALLY BUMMED WHEN MY BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS CANCELLED.

AND THEN I REALIZED IT WAS GONNA BE A BIG THING, AND I DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WAS GONNA TAKE, SO I THOUGHT MAYBE A MONTH OR SO.

AND IT TURNED OUT IT WAS GONNA TAKE A LONG TIME.

SCHOOL JUST RECENTLY STARTED BACK UP WHERE EVERYBODY IS COMING TO SCHOOL.

OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO WEAR MASKS ALL THE TIME.

BUT, IT FEELS NORMAL.

LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

IT STILL -- I DON'T KNOW.

JUST FEELS MORE NORMAL THAN BEFORE WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

I GET TO SEE MY FRIENDS MORE.

UM, I GET TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN OTHER THINGS LIKE STUDENT COUNCIL AND BASKETBALL.

LIKE, I CAN DO THAT MORE.

AND IT JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY THAT IT'S ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL.

I GET REALLY NERVOUS WHEN I'M SPELLING, BUT I FEEL LIKE JUST, LIKE, TAKING A DEEP BREATH REALLY HELPS ME.

I'M REALLY EXCITED.

IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

AND I'M HOPING THAT I DO WELL.

♪♪ >>> BLEMISH.

>> BLEMISH.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A FAULT OR IMPERFECTION.

ESPECIALLY OF WORKMANSHIP OR ART.

>> BLEMISH.

BLEMISH.

B-L-E-M-I-S-H. BLEMISH.

>> CORRECT.

>> INFANT.

>> INFANT.

I-N-F-A-N-T.

INFANT.

>> CORRECT.

>> LAWYER.

>> LAWYER.

L-A-W-Y-E-R. LAWYER.

>> CORRECT.

>> TASTELESS.

>> TASTELESS.

T-A-S-T-E-L-E-S-S. TASTELESS.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> I'M BRIAN MARTINEZ-NAVARES, AND I'M IN FOURTH GRADE.

MY FAVORITE WORD IS AUTISM BECAUSE I LIKE THE SOUND OF IT, AND IT'S ABOUT ME.

>> HI, MY NAME IS ESTEPHANIE.

IT IS THE MOM OF BRIAN.

BRIAN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM WHEN HE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

BRIAN WAS RAISED KNOWING THAT BECAUSE OF HIS DIAGNOSIS HE IS NO LESS THAN ANY OTHER KID.

AND HE CAN ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING HE PROPOSES TO HIMSELF.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF MOM, WITH THE SUPPORT OF DAD, AND OUR FAMILY HE CAME THROUGH, AND HERE WE ARE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE SPELLING BEE?

>> I'M FEELING GOOD AND EXCITED, BUT NERVOUS.

THIS IS HOW I STUDY MY SPELLING BEE.

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW I STUDY MY SPELLING BEE RIGHT NOW.

>> SCANDINAVIA.

[ LAUGHS ] >> S-C-A-N-D-I-N-A-V-I-A.

I LOVE DRAWING BECAUSE I CAN BRING STUFF OUT OF MY MIND TO LIFE.

I LIKE TO DRAW ANIME.

I WANT TO BE A COMPUTER HARDWARE ENGINEER, BECAUSE I LIKE TO CREATE STUFF THAT NOBODY HAS SEEN BEFORE.

♪♪ >> JUST THE FACT THAT MY SON HAS COME THIS FAR IN THE COMPETITION MAKES MY HEART SO FULL, SO FULL.

AND IT'S INCREDIBLE.

I ALWAYS SAY THAT AUTISM DOES NOT DEFINE BRIAN.

BRIAN DEFINES AUTISM.

>>> THIS WORD HAS A NEAR HOMONYM.

DAWDLE.

IT IS A VERB.

TO SPEND MORE TIME THAN IS NECESSARY OR USUAL IN DOING SOMETHING.

BECAUSE HE DOESN'T ENJOY DOING HOMEWORK, NELLA WILL OFTEN DAWDLE OVER HIS AFTERSCHOOL SNACK.

>> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> DAWDLE.

>> DAWDLE.

>> ROHAN, WILL YOU SAY THAT AGAIN PLEASE?

>> DAWDLE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DAWDLE.

D-A-W-D-L-E. >> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A NEAR HOMONYM.

LINEN.

IT IS A NOUN.

CLOTH MADE OF FLAX AND NOTED FOR ITS STRENGTH, COOLNESS, AND LUSTER, THOUGH SOMEWHAT SUBJECT TO CREASING.

ROB WEARS A SUIT MADE OF LINEN TO KEEP HIMSELF COOL IN THE SUMMERTIME, BUT IT IS ALWAYS WRINKLED BY MID-MORNING.

>> MAY YOU REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE?

>> LINEN.

>> LINEN.

L-I-N-E-N. LINEN.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

WEATHER.

IT IS A NOUN.

STATE OF THE ATMOSPHERE AT A DEFINITE TIME AND PLACE WITH RESPECT HEAT OR COOL, WETNESS OR DRYNESS, CALM OR STORM, CLEARNESS OR CLOUDINESS.

JAKE'S FIRST JOB WAS AT A SMALL RADIO STATION WHERE WE HE GAVE HOURLY REPORTS ON THE NEWS AND WEATHER.

>> WEATHER.

W-E-A-T-H-E-R. >> CORRECT.

>> TODDLER.

>> TODDLER.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A YOUNG CHILD.

>> TODDLER.

T-O-D-D-L-E-R. TODDLER.

>> CORRECT.

>> HOLIDAY.

>> HOLIDAY.

H-O-L-I-D-A-Y.

HOLIDAY.

>> CORRECT.

>> SALSA >> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A USUALLY SPICY SAUCE OF CHOPPED TOMATOES, ONIONS AND PEPPERS THAT IS COMMONLY SERVED WITH MEXICAN FOOD.

>> SALSA.

S-A-L-S-A.

SALSA.

>> CORRECT.

>> WOMBAT.

>> WOMBAT.

W-O-M-B-A-T. >> CORRECT.

>> CEMENT.

>> CEMENT.

C-E-M-E-N-T. CEMENT.

>> CORRECT.

>> TWINGE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> TWINGE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD?

>> A MORAL OR EMOTIONAL PANG.

>> CAN YOU USE THE WORD IN A SENTENCE?

>> CAYDEN FELT A TWINGE OF NERVOUS EXCITEMENT AS HE WALKED INTO HIS FIRST SCHOOL DANCE.

>> TWINGE.

T-W-I-N-G-E. >> CORRECT.

>> RESPECT.

>> RESPECT.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

RESPECT.

>> CORRECT.

>> KINDRED.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> HAVING COMMON QUALITIES OR STEMMING FROM THE SAME SOURCE, RELATED.

>> KINDRED.

K-I-N-D-R-E-D. KINDRED.

>> CORRECT.

>> TREADMILL.

>> TREADMILL.

T-R-E-A-D-M-I-L-L. TREADMILL.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> MY FAVORITE WORD IS GENERALLY CRISP BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY FUN TO SAY.

C-R-I-S-P.

I GENERALLY THINK OF IT AS LIKE NEW AND SHARP.

PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVO BECAUSE NUMBER ONE IT'S THE LONGEST WORD THAT EXIST IN THE ENGLISH DICTIONARY, AND NUMBER TWO IT JUST HAS A LOT OF WORDS THAT ARE COMBINED TOGETHER.

IT'S A LUNG DISEASE DERIVED FROM INHALATION OF SILICA PARTICLES.

WORKING ON LEARNING HOW TO SPELL IT.

>> EPIC BECAUSE I SAY IT A LOT.

IT MEANS, LIKE, IT'S KIND OF COOL.

>> I THINK MY FAVORITE WORD IS ADVENTURED.

I JUST ASSOCIATE THE WORD WITH A LOT OF HAPPY MEMORIES I'VE HAD, AND THE MEMORIES THAT I HOPE TO MAKE IN THE FUTURE.

A-D-V-E-N-T-U-R-E. >> HEARTTHROB.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE.

>> SWEETHEART, DARLING.

>> CAN I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> RACHEL HAS BEEN TODD'S HEARTTHROB SINCE THE SEVENTH GRADE.

>> H, HEARTTHROB.

H-E-A-R-T. H-R-O-B.

HEATTHROB.

[ BELL RINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS, H-E-A-R-T-T-H-R-O-B.

>> MAGICIAN.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> ONE WHO ENTERTAINS AN AUDIENCE BY TRICKS OF ILLUSION AND SLIGHT OF HAND.

>> MAGICIAN.

M-A-G-I-C-I-A-N. MAGICIAN.

>> CORRECT.

>> DEVELOPER.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE THAT IMPROVES AND SUB-DIVIDES LAND AND BUILDS AND SELLS RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES THERE AND WHEN.

>> MAY I HAVE THE WORD AGAIN?

>> DEVELOPER.

>> DEVELOPER.

D-E-V-E-L-O-P-E-R.

DEVELOPER.

>> CORRECT.

>> IOTA.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE?

>> IOTA.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> IOTA.

>> COULD I GET THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OR SMALL DEGREE.

>> CAN I GET THE PART OF SPEECH?

>> IT IS A NOUN.

>> COULD YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> JAMAL SAID THAT IN 60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, HIS LOVE FOR HIS WIFE HAD NOT DIMINISHED A SINGLE IOTA.

>> IOTA.

I-O-T-A.

IOTA.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SPANGLED.

>> SPANGLED.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ADORNED WITH SMALL BRILLIANT OBJECTS.

>> SPANGLED.

S-P-A-N-G-L-E-D. SPANGLED.

>> CORRECT.

>> THISTLE.

>> THISTLE.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ANY OF VARIOUS PRICKLY PLANTS OF A FAMILY OF HIGHLY EVOLVED HERBS, SCRUBS AND TREES THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY FLORETS, ARRANGED IN DENSE HEADS THAT REPRESENT SINGLE FLOWERS.

>> THISTLE.

T-H-I-S-T-L-E. THISTLE.

>> CORRECT.

>> MARATHON.

>> MARATHON.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A FOOTRACE RUN ON AN OPEN COURSE NOW USUALLY 26 MILES AND 385 YARDS IN LENGTH.

>> MARATHON.

M-A-R-A-T-H-O-N. MARATHON.

>> CORRECT.

>> CURRIES.

>> CURRIES.

C-U-R-R-I-E-S. CURRIES.

>> CORRECT.

>> MIRACULOUS.

>> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> MIRACULOUS.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> INTERPRETED AS PERFORMED BY A SUPERNATURAL POWER OR ACCOMPLISHED BY THE DIRECT AGENCY OF AN ALL MIGHTY POWER AND NOT BY NATURAL CAUSES.

>> MIRACULOUS.

M-I-R-A-C-U-L-O-U-S. MIRACULOUS.

>> CORRECT.

>> KNUCKLE.

>> KNUCKLE.

COULD I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE OF THE PROMINENCES FORMED AT EACH OF THE JOINTS AND BASES OF THE FINGERS OF THE HUMAN HAND.

>> COULD I HAVE IT IN SENTENCE?

>> MOTHER WONDERS IF GOUT IS THE CAUSE OF INFLAMMATION IN THE MIDDLE KNUCKLE OF HER RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

>> KNUCKLE.

K-N-U-C-K-L-E. >> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A NEAR HOMONYM, BOWIE, IT IS A NOUN.

A LARGE HUNTING KNIFE COMMON IN WESTERN FRONTIER REGIONS, AND HAVING A GUARDED HANDLE AND A STRONG SINGLE EDGED CURVING BLADE TYPICALLY 10 TO 15 INCHES LONG.

THE MOST FAMOUS VERSION OF THE BOWIE KNIFE WAS DESIGNED BY ARKANSAS BLACKSMITH JAMES BLACK IN THE EARLY 19th CENTURY.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> BOWIE.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> YES, THERE IS ONE, BOWIE.

>> WHAT'S THE DEFINITION?

COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> A LARGE HUNTING KNIFE COMMON IN WESTERN FRONTIER REGIONS, AND HAVING A GUARDED HANDLE AND A STRONG SINGLE EDGED CURVING BLADE TYPICALLY 10 TO 15 INCHES LONG.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE DEFINITIONS?

>> NO.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> BOWIE.

>> BOWIE.

B-O-O-E-Y BOWIE.

[ BELL RINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS.

B-O-W-I-E. >> ESTIMATE.

>> ESTIMATE.

E-S-T-I-M-A-T-E. ESTIMATE.

>> CORRECT.

>> METADATA.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> METADATA.

>> WHAT'S THE DEFINITION?

>> FACTUAL INFORMATION THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER FACTUAL INFORMATION.

>> METADATA.

>> CORRECT.

>> M -- EXCUSE ME, METADATA.

M-E-T-A-D-A-T-A.

METADATA.

>> CORRECT.

>> COMPETITIVE.

>> COMPETITIVE.

C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-V-E.

COMPETITIVE.

>> CORRECT.

>> HI, MY NAME IS ABIGALE AND I AM IN SIXTH GRADE.

MY FAVORITE WORD IS INTEGRITY.

MY DAD IS ALWAYS TEACHING ME AND MY SIBLINGS INTEGRITY.

WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.

I STARTED VOLLEYBALL THIS YEAR.

IT GIVES ME, LIKE, THIS KIND OF ENERGY I GUESS.

I CAN JUST PLAY VOLLEYBALL AND NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE AND JUST HAVE FUN.

I LOVE DANCE, I LOVE DOING HIP-HOP AND I'VE BEEN DANCING FOR THREE YEARS.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE A FREE STYLE DANCE, AND I CAN ALSO BE MYSELF, TOO.

MY FAVORITE ANIMAL ARE PANDAS, LIKE, I HAVE A STUFFED ANIMALS COLLECTIONS OF PANDAS UPSTAIRS IN MY ROOM.

THEY'RE JUST CUTE AND THEY LOOK FLUFFY, AND THEY LOOK SO INNOCENT.

I'M ACTUALLY HAPPY THERE'S STILL A SPELLING BEE BECAUSE, LIKE, I JUST DON'T LIKE WHEN THINGS GET POSTPONED.

THIS IS ACTUALLY MY FIRST TIME.

I'M PRETTY NERVOUS, BUT ALSO EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME.

MY FAMILY AND MYSELF ARE VERY PROUD.

>> FORTIFICATION.

>> FORTIFICATION.

F-O-R-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. FORTIFICATION.

>> CORRECT.

>> ASCRIBE.

>> ASCRIBE.

CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO REFER ESPECIALLY TO A SUPPOSED CAUSE, SOURCE, OR AUTHOR.

ASSIGN.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> ASCRIBE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> DAPHNE DID NOT HESITATE TO ASCRIBE THE BLAME FOR BRAKING HER MOTHERS FAVORITE VASE TO THE FAMILY DOG.

>> ASCRIBE.

E-S-C-R-I-B-E. ASCRIBE.

[ BELL RINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS A-S-C-R-I-B-E. >> BRILLIANT.

>> REALLY, BRILLIANT, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, CAUSE I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING ELSE.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

DISTINGUISHED BY UNUSUAL MENTAL KEENNESS, ALERTNESS, ORIGINALITY OR RESOURCEFULNESS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

BRILLIANT.

BRILLIANT.

BRILLIANT.

B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T.

BRILLIANT.

>> CORRECT.

>> DISTINCTIVE.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> CHARACTERISTIC, PECULIAR.

>> DISTINCTIVE.

D-I-S-T-I-N-C-T-I-V-E.

DISTINCTIVE.

>> CORRECT >> MOGUL.

>> MOGUL.

M-O-G-I-L-E. [ BELL RINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS M-O-G-U-L. >> OKAY.

>> REMEDIAL.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> REMEDIAL.

>> REMEDIAL.

R-E-M-E-D-I-A-L. REMEDIAL.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

REIGN.

IT IS A NOUN.

ROYAL AUTHORITY, THE POWER OR RULE OF A MONARCH.

IN THE FAIRY TALE, THE CITIZENS THRIVED UNDER THE REIGN OF THE BENEVOLENT QUEEN.

>> REIGN, R-A-I-N-E, REIGN.

[ DING ] >> THE WORD IS R-E-I-G-N. >> COOPERATE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE DEFINITION?

>> TO ACT OR WORK WITH ANOTHER OR OTHERS TOWARD A COMMON END.

>> COOPERATE, C-O-O-P-E-R-A-T-E. >> CORRECT.

>> SHOULDER.

>> SHOULDER, MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> THE LATERALLY PROJECTING PART OF THE HUMAN BODY ON EACH SIDE OF THE BASE OF THE NECK THAT IS FORMED AT THE BONES AND JOINTS BY WHICH THE ARM IS CONNECTED WITH THE TRUNK AND THE MUSCLES COVERING THEM.

>> SHOULDER, S-H-O-U-L-D-E-R, SHOULDER.

>> CORRECT.

>> ENFRANCHISE.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TO ENDOW WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL OR STATUTORY RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE, ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> ENFRANCHISE, I-N-F-R-A-N-C-H-I-S-E, ENFRANCHISE.

[ DING ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS, E-N-F-R-A-N-C-H-I-S-E. >> UTTERABLE.

>> CAN YOU USE THE WORD IN A SENTENCE, PLEASE?

>> AFTER FIVE RERETITIONS, THE PHRASE "TOY BOAT" WAS BARELY UTTERABLE.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> UTTER --UTTERABLE.

>> UTTERABLE.

>> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT, ANNA.

>> UTTERABLE, U-T-T-E-R-A-B-L-E, UTTERABLE.

>> CORRECT.

>> JABBERWOCKY.

>> JABBERWOCKY, J-A-B-B-E-R-W-O-C-K-Y, JABBERWOCKY.

>> CORRECT.

>> BEDLAM.

>> DEFINITION, PLEASE.

>> A PLACE OR SCENE OF WILD, MAD UPROAR.

>> BEDLAM, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> RIGHT.

B-E-D-L-U-M. [ DING ] >> THE SPELLING IS B-E-D-L-A-M. >> MEDALLION.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD PLEASE?

>> A LARGE PIECE OF METAL, USUALLY IN THE SHAPE OF A COIN WITH AN INSCRIPTION OR OTHER DEVICE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE A PERSON, ACTION OR EVENT.

>> MEDALLION, M-E-D-A-L-I-O-N. [ DING ] >> THE SPELLING IS M-E-D-A-L-L-I-O-N. >> VULPINE.

>> CAN YOU TELL THE DEFINITION?

>> MARKED BY SLYNESS, CRAFTY.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> JOHN DETECTED A CERTAIN VULPINE EXPRESSION ON THE FACE OF HIS CHESS OPPONENT SO HE STARTED LOOKING FOR A TRAP.

>> VULPINE, V-U-L-P-I-N-E, VULPINE.

>> CORRECT.

>> INFILTRATE.

>> INFILTRATE, ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONOUNCIATIONS?

>> JUST ONE, INFILTRATE.

>> INFILTRATE, I-N-F-I-L-T-R-A-T-E, INFILTRATE.

>> CORRECT.

>> GUNG HO.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> GUNG HO.

>> GUNG HO, G-U-N-G-H-O.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> I LIKE READING.

SOME BOOKS ARE REAL PAGE TURNERS, SOMETIMES I'LL STAY UP LATE AT NIGHT READING BOOKS.

>> KARATE, I STARTED WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

IT GIVES YOU A GOOD FEELING BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU'RE KIND OF PROTECTED AND YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE WILL TRY TO HURT YOU.

>> I WRITE MY OWN MUSIC.

I HAVE TO HOLLER JUST TO BE WITH EVERY WORD, I DROP KNOWLEDGE.

I'M A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH, A SHINY PIECE OF COAL.

TRYING TO REACH MY GOAL, MY POWER OF SPEECH IS UNIMPEACHABLE.

I JUST SEE EVERYONE'S REACTION LIKE, "I DID THAT!"

>> PLAYING MY SAXOPHONE.

I JUST LOVE PLAYING MY SAXOPHONE, I DO IT ALMOST EVERY NIGHT.

>> I DO DANCING IN DANCE COMPETITIONS.

MY MAIN FOCUS IS ACTUALLY TAP DANCING.

♪♪ I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DO TAP DANCING BUT IT'S REALLY FUN FOR ME JUST BECAUSE IT'S A DIFFERENT WAY TO, KIND OF LIKE MUSIC YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF.

I GUESS I JUST ALWAYS THOUGHT TAP WAS SO COOL JUST BECAUSE OF ALL THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS THAT YOU HEAR.

♪♪ IT'S JUST A WHOLE LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS ALWAYS REALLY COOL TO ME.

>> VERBIAGE.

>> CAN I HAVE A DEFINITION?

>> MANNER OF EXPRESSING ONESELF IN WORDS.

>> VERBIAGE, V-E-R-B-I-A-G-E, VERBIAGE.

>> CORRECT.

>> MOSQUITO.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> MOSQUITO.

>> MOSQUITO, AM I SAYING THAT RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> MOSQUITO, M-O-S-Q-U-I-T-O, MOSQUITO.

>> CORRECT.

>> FAUCET.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE?

>> FAUCET.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> WHEN CLAUDIA TURNED THE HANDLE OF THE BATHROOM FAUCET, ONLY A SLOW TRICKLE OF WATER EMERGED.

>> FAUCET, F-A-U-C-E-T, FAUCET.

>> CORRECT.

>> ANGORA.

>> ANGORA, MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A YARN OF THE HAIR OF A LONG-HAIRED USUALLY WHITE RABBIT USED ESPECIALLY FOR KNITTING.

>> ANGORA, A-N-G-O-R-A, ANGORA.

>> CORRECT.

>> PEACENIK.

>> PEACENIK, MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN OPPONENT OF WAR, ONE WHO PARTICIPATES IN ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS.

>> MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> LATIN TO FRENCH TO ENGLISH.

>> PEACENIK, P-E-A-C-E-N-I-K, PEACENIK.

>> CORRECT.

>> SLOVENLY.

>> SLOVENLY, CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> NEGLIGENT OF NEATNESS AND ORDER, ESPECIALLY IN DRESS OR PERSON.

>> SLOVENLY, S-L-O-V-E-N-L-Y, SLOVENLY.

>> CORRECT.

>> DUOPOLY.

>> DUOPOLY, D-U-O-P-O-L-Y, DUOPOLY.

>> CORRECT.

>> FRISKET.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A SHEET STRETCHED IN A FRAME WITH PARTS CUT OUT TO LAY OVER AN EIGHT FORM SO THAT ONLY CERTAIN PARTS SHALL BE PRINTED.

>> FRISKET, F-R-I-S-C-K-E-T, FRISKET.

[ DING ] >> AND THE SPELLING OF THE WORD IS F-R-I-S-K-E-T. >> TRIFLE.

>> TRIFLE, MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN INSIGNIFICANT OR RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT.

>> TRIFLE, T-R-I-F-L-E, TRIFLE.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> THE PAST YEAR, WITH THE CORONAVIRUS AND ALL THAT, HAS BEEN LIKE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH AND THEN DRINKING ORANGE JUICE.

IT'S KIND OF GROSS, G-R-O-S-S. >> ASTONISHING A BIT, MAYBE, THAT IT JUST CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, THE PANDEMIC, A-S-T-O-N-I-S-H-I-N-G. >> PROBABLY HECTIC, JUST WITH EVERYTHING AND STAYING AT HOME AND THEN SCHOOL'S GOING VIRTUAL AND ALL THAT.

>> INTERESTING, I-N-T-E-R-E-S-T-I-N-G. >> CRAZY.

YOU DON'T GET TO GO PLACES ANYMORE AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO QUARANTINE, AND IT'S JUST, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST ALL CRAZY STUFF HAPPENING, C-R-A-Z-Y.

>> LIEGE.

>> L-E-I-G-E. [ DING ] >> THE SPELLING IS L-I-E-G-E. >> STATISTICIAN.

>> MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE VERSED IN OR ENGAGED IN THE COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION OF MASSES OF NUMERICAL DATA.

>> S-T-A-T-I-S-T-I-C-I-A-N, STATISTICIAN.

>> CORRECT.

>> OBLIGE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE DEFINITION?

>> TO CONSTRAIN BY PHYSICAL, MORAL OR LEGAL FORCE.

TO PUT UNDER BINDING AGREEMENT TO DO OR FORBEAR FROM DOING SOMETHING.

>> A-B-L-I-D-G-E, OBLIGE.

[ DING ] >> THE SPELLING IS O-B-L-I-G-E. >> AMMUNITION.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> VARIOUS PROJECTILES TOGETHER WITH THEIR FUSES, PROPELLING CHARGES AND PRIMERS THAT ARE FIRED FROM GUNS.

>> AMMUNITION, A-M-U-N-I-T-I-O-N, AMMUNITION.

[ DING ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS A-M-M-U-N-I-T-I-O-U, EXCUSE ME, T-I-O-N. >> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM, SURPLUS, IT IS A NOUN.

THE AMOUNT THAT REMAINS WHEN USE OR NEED IS SATISFIED.

THIS SEASON, THE FARMERS PRODUCED A SURPLUS OF CORN.

>> OKAY, I'M READY.

SURPLUS, S-U-R-P-L-U-S, SURPLUS.

>> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> HELLO, MY NAME IS ANANYA AND I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE.

MY FAVORITE WORD IS LACKADAISICAL, WHICH IS SPELLED L-A-C-K-A-D-A-I-S-I-C- A-L.

IT KIND OF ROLLS OFF YOUR TONGUE, LACKADAISICAL.

IT'S FUN TO SAY AND IT MEANS LACKING ENERGY OR SPIRIT WHICH IS COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE OF ME.

THIS IS MY SECOND TIME, LAST TIME I MADE IT TO THE FIRST ROUND ACTUALLY, AND GOT OUT ON THE WORD BRACKISH, I SPELLED IT B-R-A-K-I-S-H.

I SHOULD HAVE SPELLED IT B-R-A-C-K-I-S-H. FOR A SECOND THE JUDGES KIND OF PAUSED AND I WAS LIKE, DID I GET IT WRONG, DID I GET IT RIGHT?

I WAS KIND OF NERVOUS AND THEN THE BELL DINGED AND I WAS LIKE, THAT'S IT!

I WAS KIND OF DISAPPOINTED BUT BY THE END OF THE DAY AND KIND OF LIKE AT THE BEGINNING OF TOMORROW, I WAS LIKE, OKAY, I CAN TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR, IT'S FINE.

SO, IT WAS KIND OF A SLOW PROCESS.

>> IF I HAD TO DESCRIBE IT IN JUST A COUPLE WORDS, I'D SAY ROLLERCOASTER.

IT'S STRESSFUL, IT'S EXCITING, LIKE WHEN THE PERSON BEFORE YOU GOES, ALL YOU CAN THINK ABOUT IS, I'M GOING NEXT.

AND YOU'RE UP THERE AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO SAY THE WORD AND YOU'RE LIKE, IS IT GOING TO BE EASY?

IS IT MY LUCKY DAY?

I DON'T KNOW, AND THEN YOU'RE UP THERE, YOU'RE SAYING THE WORDS AND YOU'RE TRYING YOUR BEST AND THEN SOMETIMES THE JUDGES PAUSE FOR A SECOND.

IT'S THAT STOP AT THE VERY TOP OF THE ROLLERCOASTER WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT AND IT'S JUST A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

IT'S EXCITING, IT'S FUN, BUT IT IS CRAZY, C-R-A-Z-Y.

I STUDY EVERY DAY FOR LIKE AN HOUR WITH MY MOTHER AND SOMETIMES MY DAD.

I'M REALLY HOPEFUL, I THINK I CAN DO REALLY GOOD THIS YEAR.

I'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD, I'VE GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE AND I'M REALLY HOPING I MAKE IT INTO THE TOP 10 AND IF I MOVE INTO THE NEXT ROUND IT'S PARTY, IT'S AMAZING.

I LOVE TO SING, "LIKE AN ASTRONAUT THAT'S AFRAID OF HEIGHTS."

I'VE BEEN SINGING SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID.

I LOVE TO LISTEN TO MUSIC.

I GET A NEW FAVORITE SONG EVERY HOUR AND IT ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL KIND OF FREE.

I JUST FEEL THAT IT BRINGS OUT MY PERSONALITIES, IT BRINGS OUT WHO I AM, I JUST LOVE IT.

I WOULD SING EVERY MINUTE OF MY LIFE IF I COULD.

I DO INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE, I'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE I WAS FIVE OR SIX.

IT'S CALLED BHARATANATYAM, IT'S NOT AN EASY ONE.

IT HAS TO BE CLEAN, IT'S LIKE, PERFECT.

SOMETIMES IT'S A LITTLE HARD BUT I ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO PULL THROUGH IT.

AND I ALSO LOVE TO WRITE.

POETRY I FEEL IS THE MOST -- ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WAYS TO EXPRESS YOURSELF.

YOU CAN PUT EVERYTHING YOU FEEL INTO A COUPLE OF WORDS AND IT'S A WORK OF ART.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT'S EXPRESSIVE AND IT'S AMAZING.

AND SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'S HARD TO WRITE, BUT IF YOU WRITE FROM THE HEART IT IS THE MOST EASIEST THING ON EARTH.

I ENTERED THE REFLECTIONS CONTEST THIS YEAR DURING COVID AND I WON FIRST PLACE.

MY POEM'S CALLED "I AM ME" AND HERE'S A COUPLE LINES.

I MATTER BECAUSE I AM SPECIAL.

I MATTER BECAUSE I INSPIRE.

I MATTER BECAUSE I CAN DREAM.

IT'S A MATTER OF FACT, I MATTER BECAUSE I AM ME.

♪♪ >> THIEVERY.

>> MAY YOU PLEASE REPEAT THAT PLEASE.

>> THIEVERY.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> THE ART, PRACTICE OR AN INSTANCE OF STEALING.

>> THIEVERY, T-H -- CAN I PLEASE REPEAT, RESTART?

>> YES.

>> T-H-E-I-V-E-R-Y.

[ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS, T-H-I-E-V-E-R-Y.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT TOO.

OK, THANK YOU.

>> EXTRACURRICULAR.

>> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> EXTRACURRICULAR.

>> EXTRACURRICULAR, E-X-T-R-A-C-U-R-R-I-C-U-L-A-R. EXTRACURRICULAR.

>> CORRECT.

>> CENSUS.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE FIRST U.S. CENSUS WAS CONDUCTED IN 1790.

>> CENSUS.

S-E-N-S-U-S. [ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS, C-E-N-S-U-S. >> DANDLE.

>> DANDLE, MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TO TREAT FONDLY, TO MAKE MUCH OF, TO PAMPER, TO PET.

>> DANDLE, D-A-N-D-L-E. DANDLE.

>> CORRECT.

>> TRESPASS.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO CROSS AN ESTABLISHED BOUNDARY LINE.

>> TRESPASS.

T-R-E-S-P-A-S-S. TRESPASS.

>> CORRECT.

>> HYRDANT.

>> HYDRANT.

H-Y-D-R-A-N-T. HYDRANT.

>> CORRECT.

>> CASSEROLE.

>> CASSEROLE.

C-A-S-S-E-R-O-L-L. [ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS C-A-S-S-E-R-O-L-E. >> OK. >> TUFFET.

>> TUFFET, CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A LOW SEAT, A STOOL.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> NO.

>> TUFFET.

T-U-F-F-E-T. TUFFET.

>> CORRECT.

>> MAUVE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> MAUVE.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> YES.

MAUVE.

>> MAUVE.

M-A-U-V-E. MAUVE.

>> CORRECT.

>> EXODUS.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> MASS DEPARTURE -- >> EXODUS -- OH, SORRY.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY IMMIGRATION.

>> EXODUS.

E-X-O-D-U-S. EXODUS.

>> ADJUDICATE.

>> ADJUDICATE.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON.

TO SETTLE JUDICIALLY.

TO JUDGE.

>> ADJUDICATE.

A-D-J-U-D-I-C-A-T-E. ADJUDICATE.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

THYME.

IT IS A NOUN.

A COMMON GARDEN HERB USED IN SEASONING AND ESPECIALLY FORMALLY IN MEDICINE.

A CHICKEN RECIPE CALLED FOR A TEASPOON OF DRIED THYME.

>> THYME.

T-Y-M-E. THYME.

[ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS T-H-Y-M-E. >> PRECURSOR.

>> PRECURSOR.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE THAT PRECEDES ANOTHER IN OFFICE OR PROCESS.

>> PRECURSOR.

P-R-E-C-U --S R-S-O-R. [ BELL ] >> UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD TO TAKE THAT FIRST LETTER AS YOU SAID IT.

THE SPELLING IS, P-R-E-C-U-R-S-O-R. >> OMNIBUS.

>> OMNIBUS.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> OF OR RELATING OR PROVIDING FOR MANY THINGS OR MANY CLASSES AT ONCE.

CONTAINING OR INCLUDING MANY ITEMS.

>> OMNIBUS.

O-M-N-I-B-U-S.

OMNIBUS.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> HI I AM SIBI, AND I AM IN SIXTH GRADE.

I DON'T REALLY HAVE A FAVORITE WORD.

BUT ONE OF MY LESS FAVORITE WAS AGOGO, BECAUSE I GOT THAT WORD WRONG IN THE SCHOOL SPELLING BEE.

IT MEANS LIKE YOU'RE FROLICKING AND YOU HAVE YOUR ARMS LIKE STRAIGHT OUT.

♪♪ MY SISTER, SHE WAS IN THE WITF SPELLING BEE AND SHE ACTUALLY WON.

>> YOU ARE OUR CHAMPION [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND I REALLY HOPE SHE WOULD WIN AND SHE DID.

MY SISTER WINNING THE REGIONAL SPELLING BEE, THAT INSPIRED ME TO DO THE SPELLING BEE MYSELF.

I'VE BEEN STUDYING A LOT.

IN MY SPARE TIME, WHEN I WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FROM HOMEWORK, I DO SPELLING.

I HOPE TO MAKE IT AT LEAST TO THE TOP 10.

BECAUSE IT'S MY FIRST YEAR.

SOME HOBBIES I HAVE ARE LIKE MUSIC.

SO I LIKE TO SING AND I PLAY THE PIANO AND THE GUITAR.

I'VE BEEN SINGING SINCE I WAS LIKE THREE.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> I'VE BEEN PLAYING GUITAR SINCE FOURTH GRADE.

♪♪ I LOVE MUSIC BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET IT RIGHT IT SOUNDS SO NICE.

I JUST LIKE THAT SOUND.

IT JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY AND CALM.

♪♪ I ALSO LIKE TO CODE.

YOU CAN LIKE MAKE ANYTHING WITH CODE.

I LIKE MATH.

IN MATH THERE'S MATH 24.

MATH 24 IT'S A SERIES OF THESE CARDS AND THEY'RE FOUR NUMBERS.

YOU CAN USE ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE 24.

I WANT TO BE AN ENGINEER.

SPECIFICALLY A COMPUTER THAT WORKS IN COMPUTER STUFF.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF CORONA VIRUS, I WAS REALLY SCARED AND THAT CHANGED MY LIFE BECAUSE A LOT OF MY FRIENDS I LOST CONTACT WITH.

SO WE KIND OF GREW APART.

BUT I ALSO MET KNEW FRIENDS WHEN I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE'VE HAD MORE FAMILY TIME A LOT MORE FAMILY TIME.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD, BECAUSE I LOVE MY FAMILY A LOT.

>> TRANQUIL.

>> TRANQUIL?

IS THAT CORRECT.

>> YES.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> FREE FROM DISTURBANCE OR TURMOIL.

QUIET, PEACEFUL.

>> TRANQUIL.

T-R-A-N-Q-U-I-L.

TRANQUIL.

>> CORRECT.

>> VEGANISM.

>> VEGANISM.

V-E-G-A-N-I-S-M. VEGANISM.

>> CORRECT.

>> REJUVENATE.

>> REJUVENATE.

CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO IMPART RENEWED VITALITY, TO REINVIGORATE.

>> REJUVENATE.

R-E-J-U-V-E-N-A-T-E.

REJUVENATE.

CORRECT.

>> SQUANDER.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE.

>> TO EXPEND EXTRAVAGANTLY OR FOOLISHLY.

ESPECIALLY TO THE POINT OF DEPLETION.

>> SQUANDER.

S-Q-U-A-N-D-E-R.

SQUANDER.

>> CORRECT.

>> PITIFUL.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> PITIFUL.

>> PITIFUL.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> DESERVING OR GIVING RISE TO COMPASSION.

EXCITING OR BEING SUCH AS TO EXCITE PASSION.

>> PITIFUL.

P-I-T-I-F-U-L PITIFUL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JITNEY.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THAT?

>> JITNEY.

>> JITNEY.

J-I-T-N-E-Y JITNEY.

>> CORRECT.

>> CLARINET.

>> CLARINET.

C-L-A-R-I-N-E-T. CLARINET.

>> CORRECT.

>> WORDMONGER.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE THAT USES WORDS FOR SHOW OR WITHOUT ENOUGH REGARD FOR MEANING.

>> W-O-R-D-M-O-N-G-E-R WORDMONGER.

♪♪ >> HI MY NAME IS ANNA AND I AM IN SIXTH GRADE.

BACK BEFORE COVID, WE'D JUST GET HOME FROM OR MY PARENTS WOULD GET HOME FROM WORK AND WE'D GET ALL OF OUR STUFF THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE AND THEN WE'VE JUST DINNER.

IN MARCH I THOUGH THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE REALLY QUICK AND WE'D JUST HAVE TWO WEEKS OFF FROM SCHOOL.

BUT THEN IT TURNED INTO QUARANTINE.

WE'VE JUST BEEN DOING ONLINE SCHOOL FOR A WHILE NOW.

I THINK IT'S BEEN KIND OF UNEXPECTED AND CRAZY.

C-R-A-Z-Y.

NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF TIME SO SOMETIMES WE DO LIKE GAME NIGHTS WHERE WE PLAY GAMES OR WE WATCH A MOVIE.

I JUST HAD A LOT OF TIME WITH MY FAMILY.

I LIKE BAKING.

I;VE BEEN BAKING FOR THREE YEARS AND SOMETIMES I BAKE WITH MY GRANDMA OR MY MOM AND WE ALWAYS BAKE A LOT DURING CHRISTMAS AND THE HOLIDAYS.

LIKE WE MAKE A BUNCH OF COOKIES DURING CHRISTMAS.

I REALLY LIKE MAKING COOKIES AND CINNAMON ROLLS.

AND I LIKE DOING CRAFTS.

I LIKE MAKING FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS AND THEY'RE REALLY FUN.

I REALLY LIKE HOW THEY LOOK WHEN YOU'RE WEARING THEM AND THEY'RE REALLY PRETTY AND YOU GET TO PICK A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT COLORS.

FOURHT GRADE I STARTED MAKING THEM.

NOW I AM MOVING ON TO MORE DIFFICULT PATTERNS.

OVER THE SUMMER I MADE KEY FOBS WITH MY GRANDMA AND MY MOM.

THEY LOOK LIKE THIS AND WE SOWN THEM TOGETHER.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PATTERNS.

WE SELL THEM AT THE BEACH OR JUST AT A GARAGE SALE.

WE'VE DONE A CRAFTSHOW BEFORE AND WE'VE SOLD SOME OF THE BRACELETS AND KEY FOBS AND IT WAS REALLY FUN.

I STUDY EVERY DAY FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES.

I AM EXCITED BUT I AM KIND OF NERVOUS IF I'M GOING TO GET A WORD WRONG.

BUT I AM CONFIDENT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN STUDYING AND I THINK I AM GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB.

>> ARTIFICE.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> A-R-T-I-F-I-C-E.

ARTIFICE.

>> CORRECT.

>> DESERTER.

>> DESERTER.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> ONE WHO FORSAKES A DUTY A CAUSE OR ANYONE TO WHOM SERVICE IS OWED.

ESPECIALLY A MEMBER OF A MILITARY FORCE WHO ABANDONS SERVICE WITHOUT LEAVE.

>> DESERTER.

D-E-S-E-R-T-E-R. DESERTER.

>> CORRECT.

>> CHORTLE.

>> CHORTLE.

C-H-O-R-T-L-E. CHORTLE.

>> CORRECT.

>> SCORPION.

>> S-C-O-R-P-I-O-N. SCORPION >> CORRECT.

>> PERADVENTURE.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN OPINION BASED ON GUESS WORK.

>> PERADVENTURE.

P-E-R-A-D-V-E-N-T-U-R-E. PERADVENTURE.

>> CORRECT.

>> QUITTANCE.

>> QUITTANCE.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> THE ACT OR FREEING OR RELEASING.

DISCHARGED FROM A DEBT OR AN OBLIGATION.

>> Q-U-I-T-T-A-N-C-E. QUITTANCE.

>> CORRECT.

>> BEDRAGGLED.

>> BEDRAGGLED.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> LEFT WET AND LIMP OR DRAGGING BY.

OR AS IF BY RAIN.

>> BEDRAGGLED.

B-E-D-R-A-G-G-L-E-D. BEDRAGGLED.

>> CORRECT.

>> IMPASTO.

>> IMPASTO.

CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> THE THICK APPLICATION TO A CANVAS OR A PANEL IN PAINTING.

>> IMPASTO.

I-M-P-A-S-T-O.

IMPASTO.

>> CORRECT.

>> SERRATED.

>> SERRATED?

>> SERRATED.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> NOTCHED ON THE EDGE.

>> SERRATED.

I MEAN SERRATED.

S-E-R-R-A-T-E-D. SERRATED.

>> CORRECT.

>> ABOMINABLE.

>> COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> ABOMINABLE.

>> COULD I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> WORTHY OF OR CAUSING LOATHING OR HATRED.

>> ABOMINABLE.

A-B-O-M-N-A-B-L-E. ABOMINABLE.

[ BELL DINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS A-B-O-M-I-N-A-B-L-E. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> AUBURN.

>> WHAT?

CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> AUBURN.

>> AUBURN.

AUBURN.

OKAY, GOT IT.

AUBURN.

A-U-B-U-R-N. AUBURN.

>> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CARNAGE.

>> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THAT?

>> CARNAGE.

>> CARNAGE.

C-A-R-N-A-G-E. CARNAGE.

>> CORRECT.

>> BELLWETHER.

>> BELLWETHER.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> ONE THAT TAKES THE LEAD OR INITIATIVE.

>> BELLWETHER.

B-E-L-L-W-E-T-H-E-R.

BELLWETHER.

>> CORRECT.

♪♪ >> HI, NAME IS VISETH AND I'M IN EIGHTH GRADE.

T-A-P-E-T-U-M. TAPETUM.

>> WE HAVE OUR CHAMPION.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE ACTUALLY.

IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE.

NOTHING HAS BEATEN THAT EXPERIENCE REALLY SINCE THEN.

I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE LIMO RIDE TO WASHINGTON D.C., BUT YOU KNOW.

I WAS VERY EXCITED WITH COMPETING WITH OTHER SPELLERS WHO SHARED MY INTERESTS, YOU KNOW.

AND WHO ARE THE SAME LEVEL AS ME, SO I KNEW THAT WOULD BE A LOT OF FUN.

SO, WHEN THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE WAS CANCELLED MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT'S TERRIBLE.

BUT, I TRIED NOT TO LET IT GET ME DOWN TOO MUCH AND I JUST FOCUSED ON THE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THIS IT THE LAST YEAR I CAN DO THE SPELLING BEE.

SO, I HAVE TO GIVE IT ALL I GOT.

I'VE BEEN TO THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SPELLING BEE THREE TIMES.

THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH TIME.

SO, ONCE YOU GET UP IT'S A VERY INTERESTING FEELING.

THERE'S NERVOUSNESS, BUT ALSO EXCITEMENT ON THE STAGE.

LIGHTS ARE SHINING BRIGHT.

IT'S A GREAT FEELING.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR SENSES ARE TURNED UP TO THE MAXIMUM.

IT'S REALLY HELPED ME WITH SOME OTHER ASPECTS OF MY LIFE GROWING UP WITH THE SPELLING BEE.

IT'S HELPED ME PRACTICE HOW TO STUDY AND HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS IN A GOOD WAY.

I DEFINITELY THOUGHT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WOULDN'T BE A SPELLING BEE THIS YEAR, SO I JUST FELT AMAZING WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD HAVE IT EVEN IF IT WAS ONLINE.

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE A SPELLING BEE IN GENERAL.

I THINK IT'LL BE A SIMILAR FEELING ONLINE BECAUSE THERE'S STILL THE COMPETITION ASPECT OF IT.

THIS YEAR I'M HOPING TO WIN IT AGAIN.

I THINK THE WORD THAT I USE TO DESCRIBE THE PAST YEAR IS TUMULTUOUS.

TUMULTUOUS MEANS VERY CHAOTIC AND HAVING A LOT OF CHANGES.

I THINK THAT DESCRIBES THE LAST YEAR PERFECTLY.

T-U-M-U-L-T-U-O-U-S.

SO, DURING THE PANDEMIC I'VE BEEN STUDYING SOME INTERESTING WAYS TO SHUFFLE CARDS.

I THINK I JUST SAW AN OLD DECK OF CARDS AROUND MY HOUSE SOME DAY AND IT JUST SPARKED MY INTEREST FOR HOW CAN I SHUFFLE THESE?

I LOVE PLAYING TENNIS.

I'VE BEEN PLAYING TENNIS SINCE I WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS OLD.

I JUST LOVE THAT IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET EXERCISE.

AND FOR ME IT'S REALLY FUN.

I THINK MY FAMILY ARE DEFINITELY VERY PROUD OF ME FOR MAKING THE SPELLING BEE AGAIN.

I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE TO WIN THIS YEAR, BUT I I'M READY TO TAKE IT ON.

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THE SPELLING BEE I THINK WOULD BE FUN.

F-U-N. >>> VICARIOUS.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> VICARIOUS.

>>VICARIOUS.

V-I-C-A-R-I-O-U-S. VICARIOUS.

>> CORRECT.

>> ACOUSTIC.

>> ACOUSTIC.

A-C-O-U-S-T-I-C. ACOUSTIC.

>> CORRECT.

>> PUNINESS.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT PLEASE?

>> PUNINESS.

>> P-U-N-Y-N-E-S-S. PUNYNESS.

[ BELL DINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS -- P-U-N-I-N-E-S-S. >> OH.

>> PAGODA.

>> CAN I HAVE AN ORIGINAL ORIGIN?

>> PORTUGUESE.

FORMED IT FROM SANSKRIT.

>> PAGODA.

>> A-G-O-T-A.

AGOTA.

[ BELL DINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS -- P-A-G-O-D-A.

♪♪ >> SAPPHIRE.

>> SAPPHIRE.

S-A-P-P-H-I-R-E. SAPPHIRE.

>> CORRECT.

>> EMBEZZLEMENT.

>> EMBEZZLEMENT.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> FRAUDULENT APPROPRIATION OF MONEY BY A PERSON TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED.

>> EMBEZZLEMENT.

E-M-B-E-Z-Z-L-E-M-E-N-T.

EMBEZZLEMENT.

>> CORRECT.

>> PAROCHIAL.

>> PAROCHIAL.

P-A-R-O-C-H-I-A-L.

PAROCHIAL.

>> CORRECT.

>> NECROTIC.

>> NECROTIC.

N-E-C-R-O-T-I-C. NECROTIC.

>> CORRECT.

>> RESPLENDENCE.

>> R-E-S-P-L-E-N-D-E-N-C-E. RESPLENDENCE.

>> FARCICAL.

>> FARCICAL.

MAY I PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> FARCICAL.

>> FARCICAL.

F-A-R-C-I-C-A-L. FARCICAL.

>> CORRECT.

>> TAVERNA.

>> TAVERNA.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A GREEK CAFE.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> NO.

>> TAVERNA.

T-A-V-E-R-N-A.

TAVERNA.

>> CORRECT.

>> MITIGATIVE.

>> MITIGATIVE.

M-I-D-G-A-T-I-V-E. MIDGATIVE.

[ BELL DINGS ] AND THE SPELLING IS -- M-I-T-I-G-A-T-I-V-E. >> FAJITAS.

>> FAJITAS.

F-A-J-I-T-A-S. FAJITAS.

>> CORRECT.

>> PESTILENCE.

>> PESTILENCE.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A CONTAGIOUS OR INFECTIOUS EPIDEMIC DISEASE THAT IS VIRULENT AND DEVASTATING.

>> PESTILENCE.

P-E-S-T-I-L-E-N-C-E. PESTILENCE.

>> CORRECT.

>> COMPENDIUM.

>> COMPENDIUM.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A WORK TREATING IN BRIEF FORM THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF A WHOLE FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE OR SUBJECT MATTER CATEGORY.

>> COMPENDIUM.

C-O-M-P-E-N-D-I-U-M. COMPENDIUM.

>> CORRECT.

>> PALAZZO.

>> PALAZZO.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A PALACE OR OTHER LARGE IMPOSING RESIDENCE.

>> PALAZZO.

P-A-L-A-Z-Z-O.

PALAZZO.

>> CORRECT.

>> GROTESQUENESS.

>> GROTESQUENESS.

G-R-O-T-E-S-Q-U-E-N-E-S-S. GROTESQUENESS.

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

OSCILLATION.

IT IS A NOUN.

A SWINGING OR MOVING BACK AND FORWARD LIKE A PENDULUM.

ENGINEERS SPECIFIED THAT SLOTS BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE DECK OF THE BRIDGE TO REDUCE OSCILLATION.

>> OSCILLATION.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A SWINGING OR MOVING BACK AND FORWARD LIKE A PENDULUM.

>> OSCILLATION.

O-S-C-I-L-L-A-T-I-O-N. OSCILLATION.

>> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> INTUITABLE.

>> INTUITABLE?

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> KNOWABLE BY INSIGHT WITHOUT REASONING OR LOGICAL INFERENCE.

>> INTUITABLE.

I-N-T-U-I-T-A-B-L-E. >> CORRECT.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM.

CUMULUS.

IT IS A NOUN.

A MASSY CLOUD FORM, USUALLY OCCURRING IN THE LOWER MIDDLE CLOUD REGIONS.

AT ELEVATIONS BETWEEN 2,000 AND 15,000 FEET.

HAVE A FLAT BASE AND ROUNDED OUT LINES OFTEN PILED UP LIKE A MOUNTAIN.

>> CUMULUS.

C-U-M-U-L-U-S.

CORRECT.

>> BRUXISM.

>> COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> BRUXISM.

B-R-U-C-S-I-S-M. BRUCSISM.

[ BELL DINGS ] AND THE SPELLING IS -- B-R-U-X-I-S-M. >> OKAY.

>> WENSLEYDALE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> WENSLEYDALE.

>> W-E-N-D-S-L-E-Y-D-A-L-E. WENDSLEYDALE.

[ BELL DINGS ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS -- W-E-N-S-L-E-Y-D-A-L-E. >> THANK YOU.

>> REALGAR.

>> REALGAR.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN ORANGE-RED MINERAL THAT CAN CONSISTS OF ARSENIC SULFIDE AND THAT OCCURS IN MONOCLINIC CRYSTALS OR IN GRANULAR OR COMPACT FORM.

>> REALGAR.

R-E-A-L-G-A-R. REALGAR.

>> CORRECT.

VERISIMILITUDE.

>> VERISIMILITUDE.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> THE QUALITY OR STATE OF HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF TRUTH.

>> V-E-R-I-S-I-M-I-L-I-T-U-D-E. VERISIMILITUDE.

>> CORRECT.

>> SOMNOLENT.

>> SOMNOLENT.

AM I SAYING THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TENDING TO INDUCE DROWSINESS OR SLEEPINESS.

>> SOMNOLENT.

S-O-M-N-I-L-E-N-T. SOMNOLENT.

[ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS, S-M-N-O-L-E-N-T. >> PANJANDRUM.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> PANJANDRUM >> PANJANDRUM, OK. MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A POWERFUL PERSONAGE OR PRETENTIOUS OFFICIAL.

>> PANJANDRUM.

P-A-N-G-A-N-D-R-U-M. PANJANDRUM.

[ BELL ] >> THE SPELLING IS P-A-N-J-A-N-D-R-U-M. >> OK, THANK YOU.

>> ESCHEATOR.

>> ESCHEATOR.

E-S-C-H-E-A-T-O-R. >> CORRECT.

>> FAIT ACCOMPLI.

>> FAIT ACCOMPLI, ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> YES.

>> FAIT ACCOMPLI.

F-A-I-T-A-C-C-O-M-P-L-I.

>> CORRECT.

>> TACHYON.

>> TACHYON, MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A HYPOTHETICAL PARTICLE HELD TO TRAVEL FASTER THAN LIGHT.

>> TACHYON.

T-A-C-H-Y-O-N. TACHYON.

>> CORRECT.

>> CONCINNATE >> CONCINNATE CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TO PLACE FITLY TOGETHER.

ARRANGE IN GOOD ORDER.

>> C-O-N-C-E-N-A-T-E. [ BELL ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS -- C-O-N-C-I-N-N-A-T-E >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> PUDIBUND.

>> PUDIBUND.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> MARKED BY EXCESSIVE MODESTY.

>> PUDIBUND.

P-U-D-I-B-U-N-D. PUDIBUND.

>> CORRECT.

>> LEBERWURST.

>> LEBERWURS -- WURST.

IS THAT RIGHT?

LEBERWURST?

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

LEBERWURST.

L-E-B-E-R-W-U-R-S-T. LEBERWURST.

>> CORRECT.

>> FOCACCIA.

>> FOCACCIA?

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A FLAT ITALIAN BREAD TYPICALLY SEASONED WITH HERBS AND OLIVE OIL.

>> FOCACCIA.

F-O-C-C-A-C-H-A.

FOCCACHA?

[ DING ] >> THE SPELLING IS F-O-C-A-C-C-I-A.

>> OPPIDAN.

>> OPPIDAN.

AM I PRONOUNCING IT CORRECTLY?

>> SAY IT AGAIN, PLEASE.

>> OPPIDAN.

>> I THINK SO.

>> YES.

>> OPPIDAN.

O-P-P-I-D-A-N. OPPIDAN.

>> CORRECT.

>> ULLAGE.

>> CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> ULLAGE.

>> ULLAGE.

MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> THE AMOUNT THAT A CONTAINER LACKS OF BEING FULL.

>> ULLAGE.

U-L-L-A-G-E. ULLAGE.

>> CORRECT.

>> PROPRIOCEPTIVE.

>> PROPRIOCEPTIVE.

P-R-O-P-R-I-O-C-E-P-T-I-V-E. PROPRIOCEPTIVE.

>> CORRECT.

>> WAHINE.

>> WAHINE.

W-A-H-I-N-E. WAHINE.

>> CORRECT.

>> LIBRATION.

>> LIBRATION.

MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> LATIN.

>> LIBRATION.

L-I-B-R-A-T-I-O-N. LIBRATION.

>> CORRECT.

>> RINGETTE.

>> RINGETTE.

MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> ENGLISH -- FROM FRENCH TO ENGLISH.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> NO.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION AGAIN?

>> IT'S A GAME OF CANADIAN ORIGIN FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS THAT IS PLAYED ON ICE WITH TWO TEAMS OF SIX PLAYERS ON SKATES WHOSE OBJECT IS TO DRIVE A RUBBER OR PLASTIC RING INTO THE OPPONENT'S GOAL WITH A STRAIGHT STICK.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD AGAIN, PLEASE?

>> RINGETTE.

>> RINGETTE.

R-I-N-G-E-T-T-E. RINGETTE.

>> CORRECT.

>> CHERVIL.

>> MAY I PLEASE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> ENGLISH.

>> MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION AGAIN?

>> AN AROMATIC HERB THAT IS CULTIVATED FOR IT'S FINELY DIVIDED OFTEN CURLED LEAVES WHICH ARE USED ESPECIALLY IN SOUPS AND SALADS.

>> CHERVIL.

ARE THERE ANY PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> NO.

>> CHERVIL.

C-H-I-R-V-E-L. CHIRVEL?

[ DING ] >> AND THE SPELLING IS C-H-E-R-V-I-L. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> THREPTIC.

>> CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, PLEASE?

>> I ACTUALLY NEED TO GIVE THE DEFINITION -- >> OH, OKAY.

>> AND USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> OKAY.

>> THREPTIC.

OF OR RELATING TO THE FEEDING OR REARING OF OFFSPRING ESPECIALLY AMONG ANTS OR OTHER SOCIAL INSECTS.

ALTHOUGH ANTS SHARE MANY PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL TRAITS, DISTINCT VARIETIES DIFFER IN THEIR COLONIZING AND THREPTIC METHODS.

>> THREPTIC.

MAY I HAVE THE PART OF SPEECH, PLEASE?

>> IT IS AN ADJECTIVE.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> GREEK.

>> ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> THERE ARE NONE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORLD AGAIN, PLEASE?

>> THREPTIC.

>> THREPTIC.

T-H-R-E-P-T-I-C. THREPTIC.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THIS IS NOW THE CHAMPIONSHIP WORD IF SPELLED CORRECTLY.

EFFLUENT.

SOMETHING THAT FLOWS OUT SUCH AS LIQUID DISCHARGED AS WASTE.

THE EFFLUENT FROM THE COOLING TOWER IS PURE WATER.

>> HANG ON A MINUTE.

EFFLUENT.

>> EFFLUENT.

>> EFFLUENT.

>> EFFLUENT.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATIONS?

>> EFFLUENT.

SO I'LL SAY THEM BOTH.

EFFLUENT, EFFLUENT.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN, PLEASE?

>> LATIN.

>> CAN YOU SAY THE WORD ONE MORE TIME, PLEASE?

>> EFFLUENT.

>> CAN YOU SAY THE OTHER PRONUNCIATION, PLEASE?

>> EFFLUENT.

>> EFFLUENT.

E-F-F-L-U-E-N-T.

EFFLUENT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YES.

LET'S GO.

>> AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> LET'S GO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS -- >> LET'S GO.

>> TO OUR 2021 WITF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA GRAND CHAMPION SPELLER, VISETH MENG.

YOU WILL BE REPRESENTING -- >> LET'S GO.

>> CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AT THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THIS YEAR THE PRELIMINARY, QUARTERFINAL AND SEMIFINALS SEGMENTS WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY.

THE 10 TO 12 FINALISTS WILL THEN TRAVEL TO THE ORLANDO AREA AND COMPETE IN PERSON AT ESPN'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT.

THE FINALS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE IN PRIMETIME ON ESPN2.

BEST WISHES, VISETH, AS YOU COMPETE IN THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪♪ THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW, HONESTLY.

I FEEL AMAZING RIGHT NOW.

THAT WAS A GREAT BATTLE BETWEEN ALL OF US.

REALLY, MY -- THE BEST BEE OF MY CAREER, I COULD SAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR WITF'S CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SPELLING BEE IS PROVIDED BY THE HERSHEY COMPANY WHOSE SHARED GOODNESS PROMISE BEGINS WITH A COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN FROM THE MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL TO COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE.

ONLINE AT THEHERSHEYCOMPANY.COM.

YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA WHICH SUPPORTS THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE STARTING FROM DAY ONE.

EXHIBITED BY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION.

MORE AT YCP.EDU.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> I STUDIED PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF HOURS EACH YEAR.

IT'S JUST BEEN EXTREME DEDICATION ON MY PART AND MY FAMILY WHO'VE HELPED ME PRACTICE.

SO I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THEM.

AND THIS -- THE WHOLE SPELLING BEE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT'S HAPPENED TO ME.

SO I'M JUST GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE FOR ORGANIZING IT AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪