Competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee can be a nerve-wracking experience for contestants. Their hopes of winning can come crashing down with the simple sound of a bell indicating they got a word wrong.
“So, I did have to hear the bell last year,” said Aditi Muthukumar, a speller from Colorado. “I was out in quarterfinals and it’s always a pretty negative feeling, like knowing that the trophy is not going to be yours this year.”
Despite the disappointment, head judge Mary Brooks is there to provide some positivity. “One perseveres,” she said with a chuckle when asked about her journey to the job.
Brooks has been part of the Bee since 1972 and believes that the essence of the competition—kids showcasing their spelling skills—remains unchanged. She introduced the official Scripps National Spelling Bee bell in 2005, opting for a soothing sound over a jarring buzzer.
The bell has its own intriguing history. “I came by it rather fortuitously,” Brooks shared. Discovered in a curio cabinet from 1865, the bell’s distinct sound has earned it a fan base, with viewers noticing its absence during the 2014 Bee. However, contestants appreciate Brooks’ encouragement and parting words after the bell rings.
“The bell isn’t an end-all, be-all,” Muthukumar noted. Brooks considers these parting words an important aspect of the Bee, offering comfort and support to the young participants.
Don’t miss the Scripps National Spelling Bee semifinals on Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET on the ION channel, followed by the live finals on Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Remember, Scripps News is a subsidiary of the E.W. Scripps Company, which runs the Bee on a not-for-profit basis.
