Shivashankar wins spelling bee
Updated: May 29, 2009, 9:04 AM ET
Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Thirteen-year-old Kavya Shivashankar of Olathe, Kan., has claimed the title of the nation's top speller.
Kavya aced the word 'Laodicean' Thursday night to win the 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Kavya takes home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.
Second place goes to 12-year-old Tim Ruiter of Centreville, Va.
A record 293 participants took part in the bee. The field was narrowed to 41 for the semifinals Thursday morning, then to 11 for the nationally televised finals.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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