Who is young Indian-American spelling prodigy Dev Shah? | world news

Indian-American boy Dev Shah recently claimed victory in the highly competitive 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee in a riveting display of intellectual and language skills on Thursday.

Dev’s remarkable journey to become a genius spelling bee champion is a testament to his dedication, hard work and unwavering support from his family.

Dev came from a Largo, Florida family that valued education and encouraged academic excellence, and his passion for words and languages ​​blossomed at a young age.

The spelling prodigy’s parents, Deval and Nilam Shah, recognized his extraordinary talent and passionately raised him. Deval is a software engineer who immigrated to the US 29 years ago.

The 14-year-old’s journey to spelling glory began at the local level, where he competed with other aspiring young spellers in the community. His outstanding performance caught the attention of experienced spelling bee coaches and organizers, who recognized his extraordinary talent. Under their guidance, Dev began a rigorous training program to hone his spelling skills, expand his vocabulary, and master the intricate spelling patterns of various languages.

The 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee winner has a special bond with his older brother Neil Shah, who is currently a junior at Yale University.

Dev is lucky to have his grandmother, Vinaben Shah, an important presence in his life.

In addition to his incredible ability to spell, Dev’s life has been enriched by countless fascinating hobbies that reflect his diverse interests and passions. An avid reader, he immersed himself in books of all genres, especially historical fiction. He also finds pleasure in watching historical fiction films that transport him to different time periods.

What really sets Dev apart is his love of mathematics. Not only does he enjoy learning about math concepts, he also values ​​the time he spends with friends, engaging in stimulating discussions and problem-solving sessions.

“Psammophile,” an unusual term for an organism that thrives in sandy soil, was the winning word for a 14-year-old in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Reuters reported. .

In an exciting battle of wits, Dave beat out Virginia eighth grader Charlotte Walsh, who stumbled upon the word “daviely” in the 14th round, for $50,000 in cash. is a listless term of Scottish origin.

The Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School contestant demonstrated his language skills by correctly spelling “bathypitotmeter” in the same round. According to the rules of the spelling bee, he needs to beat one more word to seal the victory.

In a burst of confetti, Dev was crowned the champion and joined his parents and other relatives on stage to celebrate the momentous achievement. As well as the prestigious title, he was awarded a prize that included a substantial cash prize from bee sponsor EW Scripps Co, as well as additional monetary prizes and references from Encyclopedia Britannica and Webster’s Dictionary.

Dev’s mother, Nilam, shared her son’s emotions publicly with an overwhelming sense of joy, emphasizing the hard work he put into preparing for the spelling bee

In the 2019 competition, the spelling prodigy showcased his talents, striving for a 51st place finish, and in 2021 he continued to impress with a respectable 76th place finish.

Read also| Indian-American boy, 14, crowned US National Spelling Bee champion

The Florida native was one of 11 finalists, ages 11 to 14, who entered after more than 220 other entrants at the three-day event in National Harbor, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C. final stage of this year’s competition

This year’s field included 94 girls, 134 boys and two non-binary spellers, highlighting the diversity and inclusivity of the event.