US EditionOhio Valley sixth-grader heads to 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee
- The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, starting May 27, will no longer require a timed tiebreaker known as a spell-off during the two-hour broadcast window.
- This change follows criticism of last year’s abrupt ending when the top two spellers entered a spell-off without head-to-head rounds, upsetting former champions and fans.
- Judges now have discretion to let the competition continue into overtime, and the preliminaries will again include a written test to fairly reduce the field to about 100 quarterfinalists.
- Executive director Corrie Loeffler said the new rules "take a lot of pressure off of that moment," while Molly Becker noted spellers appreciate the fairness since they face the same exact words on the test.
- These adjustments aim to balance fairness and competition growth, reflecting feedback that combining oral and written rounds provides a better measure of spellers’ skills.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Nine Minnesota students to compete at 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee - Austin Daily Herald
Nine Minnesota students, including an Ellis Middle School student, will represent the state at the historic 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking place May 25–31, in Washington, D.C. These spellers earned their spots through local and regional competitions and are ready to showcase their skills on the national stage, including Carter Peterson, an eighth-grade student at Ellis. The Minnesota representatives are: • Emmaline Bushman – Saint J…
Ohio Valley sixth-grader heads to 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee
MINGO JUNCTION, Ohio - Indian Creek Middle School sixth-grader Kaden Haddox is getting ready as he heads to the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month. Haddox, the son of Nick and Jessica Haddox of Steubenville, earned the spot when he correctly spelled the word “abscess” during the 2025 Jefferson-Harrison Regional Spelling Bee at Buckeye North Elementary School in March. He faced 29 challengers and lasted 41 rounds to win the comp…
The Morning Sun
Scripps National Spelling Bee tweaks its rules to make ‘spell-off’ tiebreaker less likely
By BEN NUCKOLS WASHINGTON (AP) — The Scripps National Spelling Bee won’t be so quick to force spellers into a lightning-round tiebreaker to decide a champion this year, a shift that follows criticism of the abrupt ending to last year’s competition. Related Articles Kane Brown’s unique country sounds coming to Michigan for two-night concert Movies playing in Southeast Michigan, new releases May 9 ‘T…
After Backlash, National Spelling Bee Makes a Change
Major changes are coming to the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year following backlash over last year's abrupt finale. Scripps has dropped its rule requiring a rapid-fire "spell-off" tiebreaker when the finals push up against the end of their scheduled TV slot. Now, judges can let regular competition continue into...
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