State’s top speller will head to National Bee in D.C.

astronomer, pilot, hairstylist, pediatric oncologist, “to bake in my own bakery,” veterinarian, musician, “NFL professional player,” businesswoman and a number of engineers and doctors. And at least one young man intends to one day be president.

The top speller will receive: a championship trophy, courtesy of All Sports Trophies, Albuquerque; all travel expenses for the champion and one parent to participate in Bee Week and compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal, Nusenda Credit Union and The Education Plan New Mexico’s 529 College Savings Plan; one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary Online, courtesy of Merriam- Webster; The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award, a 2019 U.S. Mint Proof Set, courtesy of Jay Sugarman, CEO of iStar Financial; a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium, courtesy of Encyclopaedia Britannica; a $100 American Express Gift Card, courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal.

The second-place winner will receive: a $75 American Express Gift Card courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal; Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, courtesy of Merriam-Webster.

Third place gets a $50 American Express Gift Card courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal.

Sponsors of this year’s New Mexico Spelling Bee include title sponsor Nusenda Credit Union, the Albuquerque Journal, The Education Plan New Mexico’s 529 College Savings Plan, Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque and Albuquerque Academy.

MARLA BROSE/JOURNAL Flanked by her father, Nanda Kumar, left, and her brother, Anirude Nanda, Akansha Nanda, center, holds her trophy after winning last year’s New Mexico Spelling Bee. She placed 42nd in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Both Akansha and Anirude are competing again this year.