Arizona sixth-grader among finalists in Scripps National Spelling Bee

PHOENIX — An Arizona sixth-grader on Wednesday advanced to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and now has a chance for the grand prize of more than $50,000.

Aliyah Alpert, who is homeschooled in Prescott, in the semifinals on Wednesday spelled “ostmark” and “trevally” correctly and successfully completed the multiple-choice prompt for the meaning of the word “verklempt” to join 11 other spellers from across the country and world in the finals on Thursday night.

The finals begin at 5 p.m. and can be viewed on ION.

Finalists will compete in one round of spelling, followed by one round of multiple-choice word meaning and then continue with more spelling until a champion is declared.

The winner takes home a $50,000 cash prize from the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a $2,500 cash prize from Merriam-Webster, $400 of reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica, a commemorative medal and the championship trophy.

A commemorative medal and smaller cash prizes are also awarded to the other finalists.

The annual competition in Washington, D.C. started Tuesday with 234 participants.

Alpert advanced to the big stage after outlasting 26 other students in the March 19 competition in Phoenix, winning in the 29th round after spelling the word “foudroyant” correctly.

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