SMSD Middle School Student Enters National Spelling Semifinal Round

SMSD Middle School Student Enters National Spelling Semifinal Round
Shawnee Mission School District

Ishya Bhavsar, an eighth-grade graduate from Indian Hills Middle School, has qualified for the semifinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She is among only 30 spellers advancing to the next round.

The semifinal round of competition will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 27.

Bhavsar has completed a preliminary and quarterfinal round in the national contest, which brought 209 spellers from across the United States.

Prior to earning a spot in the national bee, Bhavsar was named the top Johnson County speller in this year’s county spelling bee. Bhavsar was the Johnson County Spelling Bee champion two years in a row. She also was the winner of the Sunflower State Spelling Bee. As the state champion, she is sponsored at the national bee by the Kansas Press Association based in Topeka, Kansas.

The top 10-12 spellers in the national bee are invited to an in-person competition held at Walt Disney World.