(June 5, 2024) A few days ago, Bruhat Soma found himself in a whirlwind of confetti as the audience erupted in cheers, as he became the 28th Indian American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 12-year-old from Tampa in Florida spelled 29 words correctly out of 30 in 90 seconds in the tiebreaker spell-off round to clinch the trophy. A huge moment for the Indian-American kid for whom this year’s win was his third attempt at the national level. “When I won, I was excited, I was really happy because for the past one year, I’ve been working really hard. So, when I just won, it was like a dream come true,” said Bruhat, after winning the title.
His spell-off sprint earned him the 2024 Scripps Cup, along with a grand prize of $50,000 after he significantly outperformed his competitor, Faizan Zaki, a sixth grader from Dallas who correctly spelled 20 words. During the final stage of the Spelling Bee, all eyes were glued to the screen as Soma accurately spelled “Hoofddorp” and Zaki spelled “nicuri,” both advancing to the next round.
Bruha Soma wins 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee
It’s been months that he has preparing for a spell off with his dad Srinivas Soma, who would prepare a list of 30 words for him to practice daily. “I was very nervous when I found out that there would be a spell off. My heart was pumping very fast but then I knew that I have been preparing spell offs every day for six months with my dad. So, I knew I was ready and I had to try my best to win. When Dr Bailey announced I got 29 correct, I was surprised because the last record was 22,” he said. That’s when Bruhat realised that he had a chance at winning the competition and it was “pretty exciting.”
Along with studying with his father, he also used SpellPundit, a favourite tool among top spellers. Additionally, he relied on the dictionary, worked with a spelling coach, and created his own list of challenging words to target his weak areas. He entered in the competition with a clear goal and unwavering confidence as Bruhat knew he had prepared well for this moment. “I feel like working for it is the hardest part. But I was able to do it because I really wanted that trophy, and now I finally have it,” the Global Indian said.
Bruhat Soma with his parents
The seventh grader, however, plans to donate the entire $50,000 prize money for a cause. “I am yet to decide, but it will definitely be for a good cause,” says Bruhat.
Ever since becoming the spelling bee champion, congratulatory messages have been pouring from across the world, including his relatives in India. “It’s pretty exciting that all my relatives back in India were rooting for me,” said the boy who hails from Telangana. He plans to return to India soon to attend a family wedding, and meet his extended family. “I would also want to meet some of the Indian basketball players, in case there are any.”
At the age of 12, he is not only proficient in spellings but has already memorised 80 percent of the Bhagavad Gita. “I did this program called Pragya and it taught me 700 shlokas from Bhagavad Gita,” said the boy, who got more focussed on preparing for the spelling bee. But now he plans to return to his study of Bhagavad Gita.
Interestingly, before getting on the big stage of the spelling bee contest, Bruhat found himself chanting a shloka from the Bhagavad Gita, something that helped him stay focussed during the competition as he believed a divine power was looking after him. “The God is what makes everything happen.”
Apart from his love for words, the multi-talented kid loves a game of basketball, and calls LeBron James his favourite player. He also enjoys e playing badminton, ping-pong, and the snare drum in his middle school band.
With his big win, Bruhat plans to relax this summer, play some basketball and maybe go on a vacation. He has already chalked out his career path, and wants to be a doctor. “This championship will help me get into a good university to study medicine.”
Indian American kids have been winning spelling bee contests for many years, showing their hard work and skill. In 1985, Balu Natrajan, a then eighth grader from Chicago became the first Indian American to win the the National Spelling Bee competition in Washington. The foundation proved fruitful for many Indian-American kids in the past decades. According to Pawan Dhingra, professor of sociology and American Studies at Amherst College, the success of Indian-Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee stems from the firm commitment of their families to spend the kind of time and money needed to prepare their kids. “These children are not just brilliant in spellings, they also excel in geography, mathematics and other academic competitions”, Dhingra wrote in The Conversation. Now, Bruhat Soma is the newest champion in this long line of winners. His victory highlights his effort and talent, as well as the strong focus on education in the Indian American community. Bruhat’s success continues the tradition of Indian American excellence in these competitions.
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