Local Student Shines at National Spelling Bee
Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old student from San Bernardino, California, made headlines by winning the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Representing the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Shrey achieved this feat during an exciting spell-off, which was only the third of its kind in the competition’s history.
According to the Scripps National Spelling Bee website, Shrey managed to spell an impressive 32 words correctly in the spell-off, setting a new record. The word that secured his victory was “bromocriptine,” a term from science used to describe a compound that mimics dopamine effects.
Shrey had previously participated in the national spelling competition in 2022, finishing in 89th place. The following year, he improved significantly, tying for third place in 2024.
Outside of spelling, Shrey has a passion for various subjects and activities. He enjoys playing tennis, delving into books, tackling math problems, and playing chess. Additionally, he is a talented percussionist in his school band, where he plays multiple instruments, including the snare drum, bass drum, timpani, and more.
When he’s not busy spelling or playing music, Shrey likes to solve math problems and spend quality time with his siblings. He has traveled widely, with fond memories visiting India to see his grandparents. Among his many accomplishments, Shrey is particularly proud of qualifying for the California State Mathcounts Competition this year.
