Scripps National Spelling Bee

The kids were just too good. The finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee turned into a slog on Thursday, with bee organizers unable to scour Webster’s Unabridged dictionary for words challenging enough to narrow the field efficiently.

Section:Gallery

Thu., May 30, 2019

Nilla Rajan, 14, of Chillicothe, Ohio, is congratulated after she correctly spelled her word as she competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
Erin Howard, 14, of Huntsville, Ala., reacts after spelling her word correctly as she competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
Sahil Langote, 13, of New Castle, Del., reacts after spelling a word incorrectly in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Colette Giezentanner, 12, of St. Louis, wears mismatching socks as she competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Shruthika Padhy, 13, of Cherry Hill, N.J., competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Saketh Sundar, 13, of Clarksville, Md., competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Melodie Loya, 14, of Bainbridge, N.Y., is comforted by friends after spelling a word incorrectly in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Patrick Semansky Associated Press