News Summary
Sapna Malhotra, an 8th grader from Roxbury, wowed the audience at the annual Boston Spelling Bee by spelling ‘Senecio’. She won the title and the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award. The event also highlighted strong competitors including Ruslana Roshchin and Haylee Chen. Mayor Michelle Wu commended the spellers, and Sapna is now preparing for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, aiming to be the first Bostonian winner since 1939.
Boston’s Sapna Malhotra Triumphs at City Spelling Bee
What a thrilling day it was in Boston! The air was buzzing with excitement as 24 talented spellers gathered at Rabb Hall in the Boston Public Library’s Copley Branch for the city’s annual spelling bee. Among them was Sapna Malhotra, a bright 8th grader from the John Eliot K-9 school in Roxbury, who dazzled the crowd and judges alike by spelling the challenging word “Senecio”. This intricate name belongs to a type of plant in the daisy family.
Celebrating the Champions
As the competition unfolded, each participant showcased their remarkable spelling prowess, but Sapna stood out as the shining star of the evening! She not only took home the coveted title but also earned the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award. This amazing award includes some delightful prizes: a stunning 2025 U.S. Mint Proof Set, a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica Online Premium, and of course, a sparkling trophy to commemorate her win.
Rounding out the competition were some equally impressive rivals. Ruslana Roshchin, a 13-year-old from Jamaica Plain, claimed second place, while 11-year-old Haylee Chen from Brighton snagged third. They also received a $125 Amazon gift card and trophies for their hard work and dedication.
Mayor Wu and Community Support
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the true spirit of the day was captured by the support of the community. Mayor Michelle Wu congratulated all the participants and celebrated Sapna’s extraordinary achievement. It’s heartwarming to see how everyone came together to support these budding linguists!
Marta E. Rivera, the Commissioner of BCYF, praised the spellers’ dedication and skill, recognizing the effort they put forth in preparation for this event. The Boston Bruins Foundation even lent a helping hand, partnering with the BCYF to help make the spelling bee a grand success. What a big team effort from the community!
Aiming for National Glory
Now, with victory in her pocket, Sapna is gearing up for the big leagues—the Scripps National Spelling Bee happening in May in Washington D.C. She has her eyes set on becoming the second Bostonian to win the prestigious Scripps Bee since 1939. What an incredible goal!
But she’s not the only one representing Massachusetts; alongside her, three other spellers from the Bay State advanced to the Scripps quarterfinals this year. Each had their own unique journeys, with Tanoshi Inomata, 11, from Boston tying for 141st place in last year’s Scripps Bee, Adarsh Venkannagari, 10, from Lynn tying for 57th, and Josephine Gautier, 12, from Martha’s Vineyard, making her debut. Although Inomata, Venkannagari, and Gautier did not make it past the quarterfinals, they each received prizes for their efforts, solidifying their participation in this thrilling journey.
A Look Ahead
The excitement doesn’t stop here! The upcoming Scripps National Spelling Bee will feature competitors from all 50 states, several territories, and even participants from the Bahamas, Canada, and Ghana. With only eight spellers advancing to the final round on a Thursday night, it’s going to be an intense showdown worthy of the spotlight!
As Sapna prepares for this monumental challenge ahead, the Boston community will undoubtedly rally around her to show support. Best of luck, Sapna! The stage is set, and we can’t wait to see you shine on the national stage!
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Additional Resources
- Boston Herald
- Boston Globe
- MassLive
- Scripps News
- Boston.com
- Wikipedia: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Google Search: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Google News: Scripps National Spelling Bee
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
