U.S.

Down to the finish: 10 make finals in National Spelling Bee

/ CBS/AP

National Spelling Bee contestants describe tools, challenges

OXON HILL, Md. - Ten of the nation's most poised young spellers have made it to the finals of the 88th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Competitive secrets of Spelling Bee champs 21 photos

The finalists include several veterans of the competition. Thirteen-year-old Vanya Shivashankar of Olathe, Kansas, is competing for the fifth time. It's her second time in the finals. Her sister, Kavya, won in 2009. If Vanya were to win, they would be the first siblings to accomplish that feat.

Fourteen-year-old Gokul Venkatachalam of Chesterfield, Missouri, finished third last year, just behind the two co-champions. Twelve-year-old Tejas Muthusamy of Glen Allen, Virginia, is another returning finalist.

Two other siblings of past champions were eliminated in the semifinals.

On Wednesday, an impressive field of 283 young spellers was narrowed to 49 semifinalists during the preliminary rounds.

The remaining spellers will compete Thursday night for more than $37,000 in cash and prizes.

First published on May 28, 2015 / 3:22 PM EDT

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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