Aiden Meng, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Orinda, California, is among nine finalists in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. - Aiden correctly spelled villi, paleology, endoneurium, eicosanoid, and kirve, and defined salience, ordeal, and bouillabaisse.
- The finals take place Thursday, May 28, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. - The champion wins $52,500 in cash, reference works, a trophy, and flight credits.
- Other finalists include Shrey Parikh of Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Zwe Spacetime of Fort Washington, Maryland. The competition began with 247 spellers and has been narrowed to nine finalists.
The finals will be broadcast on ION at 8 p.m. ET.