Teen letter-perfect to win spelling bee ‘guerdon’

WASHINGTON – An Indiana eighth-grader making his fourth and final attempt to be the nation’s top speller reached his goal Friday, winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Sameer Mishra’s winning word was “guerdon,” a noun meaning a reward.

Sameer said he knew the word, but was hesitant to spell it.

“I couldn’t believe if my spelling was correct that I’d be the champion,” he said.

Sameer’s victory more than fulfilled a promise made to his mother years ago when he watched his older sister compete at the bee.

“I’ll take you one day,” the 13-year-old from West Lafayette, Ind., told his mother, Alkra.

He did that, and more.

The winner receives $35,000 in cash, a $2,500 savings bond and other prizes.

The bee began with 288 spellers from around the world. Sameer was one of only 12 spellers who made it to the finals broadcast live on ABC.

“I wasn’t really surprised,” said his sister, Shruti, who competed nationally in 2002, 2003 and 2004 but never made it past Round 2.

“He knew enough words to make it this far. Nonetheless, there’s an element of luck,” she said.