Shruthi Ayyagari’s Spelling Streak Continues

Shruthi Ayyagari, an eighth-grader from Indian Prairie School District 204, is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the second year in a row. She secured her spot by acing the word ‘telegnosis’ at the 2026 DuPage County Regional Spelling Bee.

A Spelling Career Born from Curiosity

It all started when Shruthi asked her mom for a dictionary at age 10. She was hooked on spelling and language, and things got serious after watching the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee. ‘It was like second nature to them,’ she said of the competitive spellers. ‘I wanted to be more like the winner.’

The Competition Heats Up

Shruthi will face off against hundreds of top spellers from around the globe at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. on May 27. She’s aiming high, hoping to make it to the finals this year. Last year, she tied for 89th place, but don’t expect her to be intimidated. ‘I’m way more well-versed in the art of spelling now,’ she said.

Studying Like a Pro

Shruthi’s got a serious studying strategy. She uses two dictionaries – one online, one the size of five books put together – and groups words by language to find patterns. It’s not just about individual words; it’s about understanding how languages work. Her favorite word? ‘Kaffeeklatsch,’ a German term for an informal coffee gathering.

What’s Next for Shruthi?

Since she’ll age out of the Scripps bee next year, Shruthi plans to start a spelling bee club or coach younger students. For now, she’s focused on nailing that finals spot. It’s going to be a wild ride, but Shruthi’s ready for it.