WASHINGTON — The Scripps National Spelling Bee has relocated to a prestigious new location this year after spending a decade and a half at a Maryland convention center. The competition now takes place at Constitution Hall, the capital’s premier concert facility.
However, participants in this week’s contest have varying opinions about the venue change.
“I feel like they should not have moved it. The old venue was better. Because it’s a bit of a hassle, getting on the bus and going there and then coming back,” said 14-year-old Yahya Mohammed, a three-time speller from Hoffman Estates, Illinois. “The old venue was more spacious, and it feels kind of isolated in the hotel.”
While Tuesday’s opening rounds commenced, contestants and their relatives found themselves admiring the historic importance of their new location and nearby attractions, though they also faced practical challenges including packed corridors, few food choices, and required transportation between their accommodations and the competition site.
The Daughters of the American Revolution constructed Constitution Hall in 1929, positioning it just blocks away from the Washington Monument and the White House. Participants are lodging at the adjacent J.W. Marriott, a popular destination for lobbyists and advocacy organizations, with what would typically be an easy walk across the Ellipse to reach the competition.
But the Ellipse currently features temporary barriers and security stations as workers assemble an outdoor octagon on the South Lawn of the White House for UFC Freedom 250, a June 14 event timed for President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
“Two very disparate forms of entertainment,” said Rajeev Malhotra of Boston, the father of speller Rajeev Malhotra, describing the bee and the mixed martial arts extravaganza.
Enhanced security measures were implemented at the venue, including guards and metal detectors at all entrances plus explosive-sniffing dogs walking the corridors. Just three blocks away three days prior, a gunman attacked a White House security checkpoint, wounding a bystander before Secret Service officers killed him.
At the previous location, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, contestants could move around the facility without restrictions, traveling between their rooms, the competition ballroom, and an extensive food court where they ate quick meals during final preparation sessions.
“Last year was better,” said Arpit Aggarwal of Columbia, Missouri, whose daughter, Ananya, is competing for the second time. “Everything was in one place.”
“It’s an adjustment,” Ananya’s mom, Deepti Bahl, said diplomatically.
Some participants welcomed the excitement of meeting in the downtown area, believing it better suited a national championship. The competition started in 1925 and occurred at various Washington hotels before relocating to suburban areas in 2011.
“I just love being here, right next to the National Mall. You can see the Smithsonian, you can see the Jefferson Memorial. It’s such a lively and unique city and I love being in the heart of it,” said three-time speller Oliver Halkett, a 14-year-old from Los Angeles. “There’s so much history, there’s so much culture. The memorials and the museums are fascinating to go to.”
Speller Andie Seavey of Fairbanks, Alaska, and her mom, Kristin, went to see the musical “The Great Gatsby” at the National Theater next door to the hotel.
Following Tuesday’s elimination of 80 contestants through stage spelling and vocabulary challenges, the remaining 167 participants returned to their hotel for a crucial written examination that selected approximately 100 who advanced to Wednesday morning’s quarterfinals. The championship ends Thursday evening.
Previous year’s winner Faizan Zaki claimed the National Spelling Bee title despite making an error and hearing the elimination bell from head judge Mary Brooks. He recognized his mistake early and told Brooks, “Just ring the bell.”
Faizan’s error allowed his two remaining opponents another opportunity, as all three made mistakes in that round.
Kushi Gottimukkala of Morrisville, North Carolina, represents one of several current contestants familiar with that experience.
During her regional competition, sponsored by the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Kushi faced two other spellers for the final national berth. She incorrectly spelled “anchialine” and assumed she was finished, only to watch the other competitors also fail.
Kushi experienced the dramatic ups and downs but eventually succeeded.
“I was still thinking about the mistake, but I was also really grateful that I got a second chance, and so I took that into consideration and decided to focus on my next word,” she said.
Contestants must prepare for scenarios where spelling errors don’t necessarily mean elimination.
Oliver Halkett also participated in a competition where he misspelled but continued. He overcame the setback by concentrating solely on his next challenge.
“It’s a peculiar situation, but I think, above all, mental clarity is so important, especially in those latter rounds,” he said. “I close my eyes and do some deep breathing and I visualize the word, and it’s just me and the word. That’s how you have to approach every single word.
“Treat every word as if it’s your first and last word.”
