Meet Lily Thompson, a six-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is making headlines as the youngest participant in the history of the National Spelling Bee. The 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 90th year, showcasing the hard work of some of the most talented young minds in America. With over 11 million students competing annually, only 291 finalists made it to the 2017 event, with ages ranging from six to 15.
That’s right; Lily qualified for the competition at just five years old. According to UPI, she is “the youngest speller to have ever reached the Scripps National Spelling Bee.” So far, she’s enjoying the experience. “I was surprised to keep winning,” Lily said, reflecting on her journey through the spelling bees this year. Currently, she is speller 290 out of 291, meaning she has a bit of a wait before it’s her turn at the microphone.
In addition to spelling, Lily enjoys playing the piano and singing in her church’s children’s choir. She’s also known for her impressive knowledge of the song “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window,” although we might have added that last part for humor.
Lily’s confidence shines through her smile, as she seems to say, “I’ve got this, folks! Now, where’s my apple juice and PB&J?”
This year’s challenging list of words includes terms like “pterodactyl” and “phrenology,” which is a pseudoscience focused on measuring human skulls. Speaking of pterodactyls, here’s a classic joke: Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom? Because the “P” is silent!
As part of the National Spelling Bee experience, all 291 contestants will receive a Kindle Paperwhite and a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster. The ultimate champion will take home $40,000 in cash, among other prizes, which might make us all a tad envious. If you’re feeling inspired, Scripps offers a fun test to see if you have what it takes to compete (hint: we probably don’t).
To catch the finals and cheer on Lily, tune into ESPN3 on Thursday at 8:30 pm EST.
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In summary, Lily Thompson is breaking records as the youngest contestant in the National Spelling Bee, proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent and determination.