Oliver Halkett of Silver Lake, who attends Brentwood’s Mirman School, competes in the Finals of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 29, 2025 in National Harbor, MD. (Photo by Craig ...

Oliver Halkett, 13, of Los Angeles, reacts after spelling his word incorrectly in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. Photo: Julia Demaree ...

— Oliver Halkett, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Los Angeles and a two-time bee participant. — Sarvadnya Kadam, a three-time speller and a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Visalia, California.