The fifth season of the Collins Spelling Bee Championship took place on September 28, 2024, at the HDFC School, Gurugram, and witnessed an exciting display of young talent and determination. After intense rounds of competition, Johan George Philip, a Grade 8 student from Believers Church Residential School, Thiruvalla, emerged as the Champion. Johan’s remarkable spelling abilities and composure under pressure secured him the coveted title after correctly spelling ‘Clairvoyant.’
Utkarshini Reddy from Sri Venkateshwar International School, New Delhi, was crowned First Runner-Up, showcasing outstanding spelling skills, while Ojas Jain from Manthan International School, Hyderabad, claimed the Second Runner-Up position, demonstrating an impressive command of the English language.
This year’s event saw participation from over 6,000 students representing 2,500 schools across India, with 12 finalists competing in the championship. The event was not only a celebration of academic excellence but also a platform for young minds to connect, inspire one another, and showcase their passion for language.
Dr. Asher Jesudoss, PhD Linguist, Lecturer, and Animal Protection Advocate, was part of the esteemed adjudicator panel. He spoke about how spelling bee competitions test not only mastery over the language but also composure under pressure. He encouraged the winners and all participants to use the privilege of language to bring about positive change for both humans and animals.
“Spelling bee competitions epitomise mastery of the English language, its homophones, homonyms, and the varied etymology of words. It is also a test of a young learner’s composure and ability to think rationally & deal with high-pressure situations, which each of the finalists successfully demonstrated over the last two months since the competition began. I congratulate all the winners and encourage everyone to use the privilege of language to bring about positive change to all humans and animals around us.”
The competition was also graced by quizmaster Ajay Poonia and author and educator Safa Abdul Razak. Poonia highlighted how, over the years, the competition has evolved, with newer participants learning from the experiences of previous contestants. Razak acknowledged the increasing caliber of participants, noting the determination and resilience displayed by the finalists.
The winners were presented with trophies, certificates, and hampers featuring books aimed at promoting reading among learners. Anantha Padmanabhan, CEO of HarperCollins Publishers India, and author Deepa Agarwal distributed the prizes.
Aloha Ahimsa Foundation congratulates all the winners and participants of the Collins Spelling Bee Championship for their hard work and dedication to mastering language skills. We believe that such competitions not only promote academic excellence but also inspire young people to use their talents for the greater good of society.
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