He’s done it again! Raghav Dhandi, son of National Life employee Hari Dhandi, has clinched the title in the Vermont Scripps Spelling Bee tournament for the second year in a row.
The eighth grader, who attends Montpelier’s Main Street Middle School, defeated 31 other middle and elementary schoolers from across the state through 39 rounds of competition.
As Vermont’s reigning champion, Raghav will return to the national Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in May. He’ll challenge over 500 other students from around the country for the national title. Last year, he made it through three rounds before being eliminated. This year, his goal is to quality for the final rounds of competition, which would make him one of the top 50 competitors.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee was started in Kentucky almost 100 years ago as a way to promote literacy and appreciation for the English language. The contest is for children below the age of 14.
Congratulations Raghav and Hari! Good luck at the national tournament – we’re rooting for you!