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6-Year-Old Texas Boy is Nation’s Youngest Spelling Bee Contestant

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Akash Vukoti is the nation’s youngest (and cutest) Spelling Bee contestant, and he’s a Texas resident to boot.

Every year, the National Spelling Bee is broadcasted on ESPN3 where children get to show off their spelling chops on television. Here in Texas, we have a horse in the race this year with Akash Vukoti, a six-year-old boy who lives in San Angelo, Texas. As VOX reported, he is the youngest contestant in this year’s competition out of 285 contestants.

His road to success is a clipped, and amazing one. He was inducted into the Mensa Society at only age three and spelled his first word, spoon, at only 18 months old. He told VOX that, “As I say the letters, the letters just come up.” His favorite word right now is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis – a type of lung disease. We had to triple-check that word was spelled correctly, don’t worry.

He can also speak three languages, which no doubt helps with his spelling abilities. He is home-schooled by his momma, and is very excited to compete in the Spelling Bee against such great competition.

Check out Akash in the video below and don’t worry, it’s okay to admit that a six-year-old can spell better than you!