EAGLE 7th grader, Maya Jadhav, is headed again to the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the fourth year in a row. After her Badger State wins two years in a row in 2019 and 2020, Maya is sharing the top spot this year – after 20 rounds! – with Immanuel Goveas, an eighth-grade student at North Middle School in Menomonee Falls.
Maya was a finalist (top 50) at the 2019 national competition, and was looking to up her game again in 2020. Then a pandemic got in the way. Yet it did not stop her from competing in online spelling bees and continuing to work on her craft. This year’s win at the state level, albeit shared, provides great momentum as she heads to the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The first rounds will be online, and the final rounds will take place on July 8, just outside of Orlando, Florida, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The finals will feature the top 10-12 spellers and will be broadcast live in primetime on ESPN2.
Wisconsin is sending its top three spellers to compete at nationals: Maya, Immanuel, and Badger State runner up, Ty Blacker (14, Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo). We wish Maya and all the Wisconsin spellers the best!
Eagle School seventh-grader Maya Jadhav, with the All-City Spelling Bee trophy outside her Fitchburg home.
Photo by GAYLE WORLAND, Wisconsin State Journal