Indian-American Teen Wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

WASHINGTON — Indian-American teenager Shrey Parikh won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, correctly spelling 32 words in a spell-off to claim the championship and set a new competition record.

Parikh, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from San Bernardino, California, won the title by spelling “bromocriptine,” which organizers defined as “a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine.”

Representing the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in California, Parikh won after the third spell-off in the Bee’s history. His 32 correctly spelled words set a new spell-off record.

Parikh attends Day Creek Intermediate School and entered this year’s contest with extensive experience at the national level. According to his official Scripps National Spelling Bee biography, he first competed in the national Bee in 2022, tying for 89th place. He returned in 2024 and tied for third before winning the title this year.

The victory capped years of preparation for Parikh, whose interests extend beyond spelling and vocabulary competitions. His official biography says he enjoys tennis, reading, mathematics and chess. He also plays percussion in his school band and has performed on instruments including the snare drum, bass drum, timpani, toms, triangle, glockenspiel and marimba.

Parikh spends much of his free time solving mathematics problems or spending time with his brother and sister, according to the biography. One of his proudest recent achievements was qualifying for the California state Mathcounts competition this year.

His biography also notes his strong connection to India. Parikh has traveled to many countries and particularly enjoys visiting India to spend time with his grandparents.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States, bringing together top young spellers from across the country and several international locations after they advance through local and regional contests.

Founded in 1925, the competition tests spelling, vocabulary and language skills through multiple rounds of increasingly difficult words. Participants generally must be no older than 15 and may not have advanced beyond the eighth grade.

Students of Indian origin have been among the most successful competitors in the Bee over the past two decades, winning a large share of national titles and regularly reaching the final rounds. Their success has made the annual competition a closely watched event in Indian-American communities across the United States.

Parikh now joins a distinguished list of champions whose victories are part of the Bee’s long tradition of academic excellence and perseverance. (Source: IANS)