National Spelling Bee 2009

Kavya Shivashankar, 13, of Olathe, Kan., wins the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009. In the background her parents, Sandy Shivashankar, left, and Mirle Shivashankar celebrate.

Kavya Shivashankar, 13, of Olathe, Kan., accepts her trophy after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee with the word "laodicean" in Washington, on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Mirle Shivashankar, left, hugs his daughter Kavya Shivashankar, 13, of Olathe, Kan., after she won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009. At right is his wife, Sandy Shivashankar.

Tim Ruiter, 12, of Centreville, Va., sits in his seat after spelling his word correctly in round six of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009. He came in second place after misspelling "maecenas."

Kennyi Aouad, left, signs autographs during a break at the final of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, on Thursday, May 28, 2009. Aouad was stumped by the word, "palatschinken."

Aishwarya Pastapur, 13, of Chatham, Ill., comes in third place misspelling the word "menhir" at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Tussah Heera, 13, of Las Vegas, cries after misspelling "herniorrhaphy" in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 28, 2009, in Washington.

Sidharth Chand, 13, of Beverly Hills, Mich., reacts to misspelling "apodyterium" during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Washington, on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Neetu Chandak, 13, of Geneva, N.Y., reacts to spelling her word correctly in round six, placing her into the finals, at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Washington, on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Serena Laine-Lobsinger, 13, of West Palm Beach, Fla., center, is congratulated for spelling her word correctly in round four of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Washington, on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Kennyi Aouad, 13, of Terre Haute, Ind., competes in round six of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Veronica Penny, 11, of Hamilton, Ontario, competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Andrew Traylor, 14, of Staunton, Va., competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, speaks at the opening of the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Marziette Gonzales, 12, left, of Calgary, Canada, Drew Kantor, 10, of Edmonton, Canada, and Tegan Odland, 11, right, of Enchant, Canada, listen to other spellers during the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

Paul Uzzo, 13, of Moreno Valley, Calif., listens to the spellers compete during round three of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

Anna Lawrence, 10, of Toronto raises her arms while competing in round three of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

Patrick Dockery, 11, from Memphis, Tenn., competes in round three of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

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