Eighth-grader Jacob Williamson, 15, of Cape Coral, Fla., pumps his fists after hearing his word, “euripus,” during the semifinals of the National Spelling Bee. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)
Christine Alex of Chicago, front left; Sumedh Garimella of Duluth, Ga.; and Mary Horton of West Melbourne, Fla., wait for their turn during the semifinals of the National Spelling Bee. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)
Speller Shayley Grace Martin of Riner, Va., reacts after correctly spelling a word in Round 6 of the 2014 National Spelling Bee. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
Sixth-grader Jae Canetti, 12, of Fairfax, Va., cringes after incorrectly spelling “parseval” during the semifinals of the National Spelling Bee. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)
Speller Muriel Cotman, of Cuero, Texas, competes during the preliminary rounds of the 2014 National Spelling Bee. (Chuck Myers / McClatchy-Tribune)
Speller Kate Miller, of Abilene, Texas, competes in the 2014 National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md. (Chuck Myers / McClatchy-Tribune)
Harry Harman of New Concord, Ohio; Dylan O’Connor of Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; and Tajaun Gibbison of Mandeville, Jamaica, celebrate after advancing to the semifinals of the 2014 National Spelling Bee. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
