Inside The Fight To Become The Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion (HBO)

If you keep up with the world of competitive spelling, you've noticed the 10 year winning streak of South Asian-Americans. Kids from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have simply dominated the competition, and the South Asian Spelling Bee circuit has a lot to do with that.
Launched in 2008, the South Asian Spelling Bee is an elite circuit whose alumni account for a decade of spelling dominance in the nation's most competitive spelling competition.
Rahul Walia, founder of the South Asian Spelling Bee, told VICE News "the reason why South Asians have really taken to this is because it really touches all of the learning pillars that this community has grown up with. While lending itself to the edge of competition and sport. And if you're good at it the spoils are phenomenal."
VICE News followed along with one of the circuit's alumni, 12 year-old Rishik Gandhasri, as he chases the most sought after title in the world of spelling - Scripps National Champion.
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[@VICENews]

Rishik said he spends between one and four hours each day practicing for the spelling bee. WATCH Next on attending homeschool prom HERE: bit.ly/2xxWQh5

[@desipandit5612]

"Kids from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have dominated" ?? Seriously? Where are the pakistani and Bangladeshi kids? They are all Indian Americans (Hindus). Why does Vice news, that I respect, engage in such misleading reporting?

[@adrianbenjamin8359]

That kid Rishik goes to my school Silver Oak Elementary School

[@adrianbenjamin8359]

now im going to a middle school with him hes a good friend hes pretty funny.

[@Manishi759]

He is my cousin's son.

[@TheKirbyT]

This is the healthiest family I've seen in a spelling bee setting.

[@drewzifer]

At least I know what my future heart surgeon looked like when he was a kid.

[@simplyzulu1426]

To my best of knowledge these Indian kids always take away the trophy..

[@injunnc]

Pakistan, and Bangladesh? Really? I must have missed that.

[@myajoelle3547]

“I tried my best and that’s all that matters” he’s such a good sport I wish more kids realized it was okay to lose

[@colto2312]

If you lose in this society you starve and die.

[@stephenjohnson7078]

thanks coltin engle!

[@marcobenitez1232]

if you aint first your last

[@ranjitsingh-on2jx]

Fail not a shame but you have to work hard and that's the spirit of a real hero

[@ravik007ggn]

Mya Joelle Kids' parents *

[@Rufio629]

What a supportive family. They got so excited when he got the word correct.

[@valk5043]

Mathew Duncan Rishik won this year.

[@330MillionGods]

Kids from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh ? WTH ? It is Just India, man! Not Pak and bangladesh. They have totally opposite culture to that of Indians. DO NOT lump them together.

[@syedahsan615]

What do you mean kid!People from Pakistan are pretty smart!

[@crepusculum]

YO! We Bangladeshis also have some hardcore spelling contests going on here, okay?!

[@adhi_r]

The entire subcontinent is good.

[@ayushanand8100]

Only Indian Hindu kids make it. South Asian haha😂? India has at least 10,000 years old civilization of ancient vedic sciences, philosophy, mathematics, spirituality, yoga, Ayurveda, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, astronomy and architecture. Maybe it is in our genes. But the upbringing also plays a big role. You do not easily find a Muslim kid from South-Asia making this big. It's all about the Hindu way of parenting.

[@siamandhaniya2083]

yes

[@BenKingOfMonkeys]

that family picture at the end was lovely thats what a family should maybe look like, proud and moving forward

[@6abhisekbackup9]

With a kid such an overachiever, they must.

[@dabom4479]

Lol why does the description say kids from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have dominated. Pakistani and Bengali kids aren't involved in this thing. It's just Indians lol

[@ericrodrigues3749]

Dr Bhokal let's not be haters man ! Us Indians must set an example and encourage peace among the two nations

[@Arkaworldd]

Dr Bhokal Sukanya Roy is indian bengali not bangladeshi.

[@ramennoodles8546]

omg so what?

[@Araweelo]

Dr Bhokal y’all are the same

[@hussainmudasir5560]

RR At least Pakistan and Bangladesh have toilets. Why don't you go searching for 'bob and vegana'?

[@NR-wg4cf]

Well done Rishik , 2019 co-spelling bee champion!

[@valk5043]

I agree. I have the ability to personally congratulate him, and tell him he has fans now.

[@Arav087]

I competed in the 2019 Scripps national spelling bee I was there watching the finals

[@epicpurevids]

Damn I mean at least the kids vice picked seem actually healthy and happy to be taking part in this, but sometimes I do wonder if some of these kids don't live balanced enough lives. Like that poor girl crying.

[@TheColorTheft68]

epicpurevids It's just girls being emotional. I use to be part of those classes that did those testing competitions. White girls would cry for losing. Lol. They worked so hard to just fail, then they cry.

[@luckyg1163]

@@TheColorTheft68 the parents made them stop swimming for spelling thats not healthy

[@archtansterpg4246]

I don't think it's because of that. Competitions like these are just very high-stakes and high-stress for these students. They work so hard, so it's only naturally that they feel very emotional when they lose. I've been in a couple of these types of competitions and have seen kids cry (and, admittedly, have cried myself) when they lost. They get over it pretty quickly, though.

[@flixgpt]

It's American indians 90% of the time so don't confuse ur audience by telling south asian

[@AyanAli-py7ci]

Its Indian Americans 100% of the time

[@mehdigeek]

that Anita girl is a whole mood

[@zaki8122]

What's the fight? An Indian is going to win it anyway.

[@RajGandhasri]

Anyone who puts in enough time and effort can win it...

[@evrimagca7146]

Rajamohan Gandhasri not really, some people are made for things and some aren’t

[@valk5043]

_ev_ ag_ Rajamohan has a point. The Indian kids just have a drive for education, compared to most others.

[@gulagwithahumanface4471]

That girl crying really got me man, damn

[@micpango]

Gulagwithahumanface lol how

[@doctorpanigrahi9975]

Gulagwithahumanface ... I'm gonna shoot up the spelling bee championship.

[@marcocastillo2385]

I felt bad ... The spelling being clearly meant a lot to her

[@PantsB4Squares]

Got me too, i LOL

[@gulagwithahumanface4471]

abde ade what are you on about

[@JeshuranPaul]

The kid won in 2019!

[@randomlygirl5750]

Rishik is one of the 8 champions!!!

[@apoorvswarup]

All these kids are american unlike what's stated in your description. But yes making the Indian diaspora real proud :)

[@lh5655]

Honestly, these kids are incredibly talented. I’m working my way up to the spelling bee right now, and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to even get there. I hope all these kids know even if they were the first one out at Scripps, you’re a winner to me. Good luck next year spellers! Hope to see you there!

[@globalcitizen2862]

The father's hand on the back of his son's head at 6:56 was the sweetest moment for me, so much love, caring and understanding from the father, bless them, sweet people, sweet family.

[@rishishukla130]

Seriously any Pakistani ??? hahahahhaha

[@adityabhattcarjee1182]

What are you getting at bro

[@rishishukla130]

@@adityabhattcarjee1182 None of your business bro

[@s.d_8567]

yo i'm a british indian in the uk and life is completely different here as we have none of these competitions.

[@hunter-z4547]

hey gurl. don't cry

[@barsbay7598]

Dude was ready to throw hands at 4:56

[@arl1226]

Damn - should be changed from South Asian Spelling Bee to just Indian Spelling Bee. Why ain’t there no Pakistani or Bangladeshi kids?

[@mmmboy23]

I was really getting into this, congrats on your efforts Rishik and Gandhasri family. Best of luck for future work and be proud of your intelligence.

[@a.wanderer5006]

And Rishik won this year! Props to his parents, as he seems well-rounded and to have a bit more personality than the other winners. Hopefully he can go swim and have some fun now.

[@shinumohammediqbal3617]

a. wanderer 😂😂

[@syyhuuchan9171]

Update rishik is one of the scripps 8 kids 2019 champions

[@goodwizard8598]

What an amazing child! What an inspiration. Thank you for doing this Vice! For taking us behind the scenes. Also, loved the fact that the parents are so down to earth. Amazing stuff.

[@mehdigeek]

this is so sad

[@DestroyProvolone]

Can we hit 50 likes?

[@sheikyobooty9334]

mehdigeek ,,, indians are not looking to farm pigs and corn,,,or dig for coal,,,take notes

[@adrianbenjamin8359]

That kid Rishik goes to my school Silver Oak Elementary School and now im going to a middle school with him hes a good friend hes pretty funny.

[@randomdude9135]

@@adrianbenjamin8359 Cool

[@prowireless]

Alot of Indians excel they are smart and education is on the top of their list. Most Hispanics spend their money on foolish stuff. You don't see many Pakistani either even though they are somewhat related since India and Pakistan was the same country before the partition shows how much smarter Indians are versus pakistanies. Hindu religion is more progressive. Good job Indians.

[@sachinreddybappa1273]

Bcz Hindus adopts reforms easily there nothing that can't change even if any one who doesn't believe in God also he vl be Hindu he vl be called as nastik one can choose his own god .

[@AliAhmed-ve5xl]

Pakistanis are 60% Iranic meaning 45 million Pashtuns and 10 million Baloch. They're not genetically related to Indians or even look like them in general.

[@jessicakni3817]

Seniors of 2020 are devastated over the 13 years of schooling just not to be able to walk and attend the same ceremony every other graduate has received. The matter of the fact is depressing, and degrading. I feel bad for these kids missing their spelling bee... I feel that so much. They obviously worked so hard for it, this is really sad. ):

[@emiliobello2538]

Wow

[@tylerquebedeaux1867]

Stumbled on this by accident.... one of the "octo-champs"!

[@SK-rv5jn]

0:18 only true Indians will understand what those trophies are for

[@warnerw88]

Thought the title said crips

[@meltedmarshdaddy]

This kid was the 2019 champion

[@woodwurf5269]

*co champion

[@meltedmarshdaddy]

@@woodwurf5269 Right

[@YadugovindM]

Pakistan and Bangladesh ????? What the heck dudes !! Don't be perverts. All the winners are indians only. Not a single kid from Pakistan or Bangladesh. Facts are bitter. But atleast say truth, vice channel

[@yvngthik1612]

I thought that golf was boring lmao

[@AvgJane19]

YVNGTHIK it still is

[@annahiggins7756]

Ya thought wrong luv

[@manjusha2212]

gawd he is such a prodigy tbh;;; at his age I was busy spelling cats and dogs lel

[@TheCoconutCookie]

When you don't realize spell check exists

[@RajGandhasri]

Spellcheck can only correct one or two letters at most. And also you need to know the words for better reading comprehension, enjoy movies, debates, presentations, persuasions etc. Spellcheck can only correct what it knows, which is an abridged version of the English dictionary

[@Sticklemako]

Spelling isnt just simple 'lookup' it also stimulates the brain in pattern recognition, lingustics, logic structure (words are created via related concepts) etc... Thats why Indians especially who have learned such techniques are so perceptive

[@ajcerenzie4844]

How can that little kid grow a better moustache than I can

[@proudhuman166]

High testosterone in Indians

[@doni6895]

He won the championship along with 7 others.

[@proudhuman166]

Other indians

[@praveen.dasini]

Dude there aren't any pakistan and bangladesh students....only Indians

[@KenithAlmeida]

This will create a lot of noise, amongst those opposing visas

[@manuelbello5806]

VICE News barely talks about kids

[@nikhilananth4383]

indians will win the bee every single time forever... its a fact

[@DestroyProvolone]

Negus

[@disorderedenthropy]

Your kids will be working for them one day.

[@gaganaggarwal7599]

Daniel lol

[@eldiablo7455]

XD

[@stevenuniverse1994]

I remember they said that word

[@randomdude9135]

@@disorderedenthropy I think you didn't get the joke

[@lakaylathomas932]

I have a spelling bee this Thursday I'm so scared spelling is my dream and making it to national's would be a huge opportunity I'm just hoping that God answers my prayers wish me luck :/

[@dmaniaxd5447]

And last year he won with 7 others co-champion .

[@krish7240]

All Indians are too intelligent...

[@mikerphone.]

I thought we were going to outlaw torture in all its forms.

[@mikerphone.]

Dr Bhokal - lol, u feel better now?

[@mikerphone.]

Ignited IAS exactly.

[@RajGandhasri]

It is their choice to compete. They see and avail knowing more words than their peers, be it in reading, or writing or debates etc...

[@mikerphone.]

Rajamohan Gandhasri - Children don't have choices, they are under the custody of their legal guardian. "My prisoners choose to run a mile everyday when they are placed on the track with a punishment ultimatum." There are numerous ways of expanding one's lexicon without overburdening children with high expectations to which only the literal, smallest percentile could achieve. Its not only unfair but imoral to make children strech for something that could break them. I am not being hyperbolic when i say that, there is research that shows that consistently telling kids that they can achieve anything or beat the smallest of odds leads to crippling depression when they reach adulthood. That girl walking out in tears is not a freak occurrence at one of these spelling bee's, it happens often and it should be enough to show you how much pressure these children are under. Wether it be self induced or from their parents and mentors. Children are not only not equipt with the tools to handle that pressure but they are highly susceptible to the adverse effects of undergoing such treatment and experiences.

[@RajGandhasri]

I am totally against putting pressure on the children and getting depressed when something goes wrong. My point is to encourage, facilitate to maximize their potential, learn from so called 'failures' and move on. IMHO every one is a winner who tries irrespective of the outcome, as they are better than those who don't try at all. Getting emotional/disappointed is natural at that instant, but taking a deep breath, celebrating about how far you got, what you learned in the process and how many friends you made in this journey is lot more valuable, again IMHO. There is no animosity among the children who competed, they are the best friends and they hung out and partied like hell after the competition is over for couple of days until everyone returned home.

[@kingwrister]

He just won last week

[@emiliobello2538]

Spelling The Dream anyone?

[@NitzVision]

One European scholar said an ordinary Indian is more intelligent than Einstein

[@indrajittt]

And when time comes for marriage, the first question that will be asked is about cast

[@danielwebb6202]

Her face at 5:10 is totally Buster's surprised and confused face.

[@erichighsmith7299]

I can't even spell Wednsday...

[@Sushantway]

Eric Highsmith it's wendesday. Easy!

[@lh5655]

Sushant Chaudhari it’s Wednesday...

[@drgfitdds]

@@lh5655 i think he was joking

[@myweirdsecondchannelwithap9070]

@@lh5655 no its whenisday

[@Playtrack22]

Try again buddy good job you’ll get it next time

[@shinumohammediqbal3617]

Playtrack22 😃and he did!

[@JohnSmith-xq6cv]

Kinda cool. Didn’t realize you also learn a lot of vocabulary

[@bigman52100]

Slow day huh?

[@kaleesmach]

The American girl crying made me sad ! Come on girl ,that's okay there is always next time

[@izzyRIOT42]

“Iridocyclitis”

[@LindsayKay]

Most young brains can soak up a ton of stuff while they are young, easily learning multiple languages at the same time, if given the opportunity. These kids may be at the higher end of memory abilities, but essentially there's not much special about it, it's just the way brains are at that age. It's as if these parents don't realize that, and the implication to their kids that they are special because they can apply that to being a walking catalogue isn't doing these kids any favours in terms of realistic self-esteem. Filling their heads with letter patterns is kind of tragic, why not something more fulfilling?

[@LindsayKay]

Yes I recall a few fellow students who had the whole spelling bee experience. Their academic achievements were all for the approval of their parents, including Golden Key Society membership, and the ability to memorize in preparation for exams without deep understanding. They were addicted to approval and many ended up with resentment and depression in later years. Not exactly "fun at parties" if you catch my drift.

[@AmanSingh-jm4bn]

there is definitely nothing when it comes to physical activity but remembering words will make ones brain really versatile like interconnecting word and using imagination to remember words is something that will be helpful throughout life but yes physical health can't be completely disregarded too.

[@891delta]

Found the guy who lost the spelling bee in 5th grade

[@MsSandhu9]

@@LindsayKay How do you know they are simply memorizing without deep understanding? You are simply assuming. You don't think there is any real value in learning how to spell, but many others would think this about sports too. It's a matter of perspective.

[@riderpikachu7403]

Maybe it fulfills them how do you know? Everyone's Idea of fulfillment is different.

[@vsubhuti]

Why put kids through memorizing words we will never use teach them to think and write great literature

[@RajGandhasri]

They don't memorize words, they learn words including the origins, roots etc, which will help them decipher a brand new word without looking up.

[@myweirdsecondchannelwithap9070]

"teach them to think and write" is exactly what theyre doing

[@megb274]

Anita is such a Mood

[@wishtoberich6495]

What do you mean by south asia? Are you trying to hide or feel shamed to tell the truth. Why dnt u say indian. So embarrassing to know this channel is racist.

[@haywoodjahblomy8026]

Dad had the phone ready to show him how he fucked up..no emotional support what so ever just fix your mistake lmao

[@dilip2218]

INDIAN HINDUS ...... Blessed with grt talents

[@indrajittt]

People worried about the crying girl, would Vice really have shown the footage if she wasn't cool about it?

[@valk5043]

We had to give consent, for her face and mine is now public domain for anyone, including news outlets, to use. Source: Am a Spelling Bee contestant

[@niyatishetty2623]

Indian americans r the one winning this spell b competition since last 20 yrs..not one pakistani or bangladeshi has won..why does this pakistani channel wants to drag pakistan n bangladesh where only Indians should be appreciated for their achievement .

[@mrraccoon6264]

You have to be Asian to enter 😀

[@tanksindia7924]

wtf bro

[@babudinanal]

I have no idea how this enhance anyones productivity or talent.solving a cubic is far better achievement comapring this.end of the day it leaves them with nothing than few trophies .

[@leaveme3559]

Babu Kabir .....so at his age he should have wasted his time on watching Jake Paul or played cod...like the other 9 y.o of his age do?......

[@rips69ify]

Says a moron who never achieve anything in his life.....other than the first one to reach fallopian tube...

[@babudinanal]

The Kamal Kartik i was referring to the enormous effort they are taking at this age..frankly !whats wrong with playing at their childhood.they are taxing their brain too much if these talents can divert into the right way they can act for betterment of whole humanity.

[@RajGandhasri]

It doesn't take that much time to look at about 125,000 core words in the dictionary! Even if you learn half the words, It will all pay back during the rest of your life as you can read faster, write faster, convey your thoughts succinctly and effectively... Benefits if learning a language's vocabulary are abound.

[@babudinanal]

Rajamohan Gandhasri i agree to some extend ... but writing needs creativity and life experience than vocabulary skills.i studied till highschool through my regiaonal language medium and i am sharing my views right now with capacity of what i learned through my life experience.what i meant here its just a game and they can do more than with their talent....

[@Subhrajitbhattacherjee]

the white girl's name was anita?? has she swapped cards?

[@RajGandhasri]

Anita is a common western girl name.

[@mogleesh-22]

Anita is common name for small town girls in India.

[@ADHD55]

Spelling doesn’t require any form of critical thinking , it’s a memory game

[@RajGandhasri]

Vocabulary plays huge role in the preliminary phases of the bee, which helps in every facet of life.

[@ADHD55]

Rajamohan Gandhasri it’s called repetitive learning or rote learning look it up

[@MsSandhu9]

@@ADHD55 No, it's not simply rote learning when it comes to spelling bee. There are language patterns that they study. That's why ask for language of origin, the definition, the usage in a sentence etc. Sometimes they really hear the complex word the first time but are able to deduce the spelling by asking these questions and using their knowledge about languages. But even if it's memory based competition, what's wrong in trying to push your limits in expanding your memory? Memory and recall also contribute to what you call "intelligence".

[@Arav087]

ADHD it’s not just memory, there are language patterns, root patterns to the word.

[@myweirdsecondchannelwithap9070]

did your school not allow you to ask for language of origin

[@LadyK007]

Super cute family!!!

[@superdan422]

this is really the competition of the kids of neurotic parents

[@Purple_Neon]

Nope, you won’t understand it

[@jaygo71]

I'm guessing they (brothers) have no girlfriends...

[@preetikushwa7032]

They are too young for that!.

[@majow]

South Asian u say

[@prowireless]

Why I hardly ever see Hispanics in spelling bee contest ?

[@valk5043]

Isaac Resek Good question, I honestly don't know.

[@AyanAli-py7ci]

You don't see Pakistanis either

[@unumkumunu7621]

Pakistani and Bangladeshi in last 10 yrs ?

[@utsavchatterjee8652]

India rise

[@Sportstalk22]

Rishik lowkey the goat

[@34577245]

kabaragoya

[@Mr_Sandman-s3q]

What a boring lifestyle. Imagine learning useless words that you will never use in your lifetime

[@sunandak4828]

marco guzman spending hours trying watching Logan Paul videos on KZbin is the "fun life". Got it. Please keep going so that we (Indian) can takeaway your high paying jobs

[@891delta]

They'll be preserving and appreciating the English language while losers like you degrade it.

[@tanksindia7924]

everyone learns useless shit in life mein komrade

[@prowireless]

How come I don’t see Pakistani hardly ever winning ?

[@apextroll]

In b4 the white supremacists claiming this doesn't happen.

[@realworldissues]

Found one below

[@apextroll]

The despair is real...

[@Nexus-7.0]

+Big Boi Maybe you need to learn how to spell from those kids. It's "south" not 'sputh' lolzz

[@apextroll]

Big Boi, spelling is critical when claiming superiority and commenting on spelling bee videos. If you troll yourself, it puts me out of work. :-)

[@tekgid433]

nah we just think it just doesn't happen for black people

[@ADHD55]

These kids have no lives and never had a childhood how sad

[@RajGandhasri]

These kids have visited many places for example, than you can ever imagine. Don't worry, they are very well rounded.

[@0poIE]

How much do they win and what's the point in life success?

[@disorderedenthropy]

You can ask them when you and your kids will be working for them. Say hello to your future bosses.

[@satchury722]

lovely family

[@ReadingInRedding]

good job, kid. 👍

[@trashbin8097]

Indians

[@Thesoccerdood]

Good kid

[@TT-in1vw]

These kids should check their Asian privilege and give it to poor black kids in need.

[@PantsB4Squares]

It makes sense with SJW vicenews..

[@AvgJane19]

PantsB4Squares nope doesn't make sense there either

[@PantsB4Squares]

AvgJane19 You must be SOO progressive that it has become common, you don't see whats around you.

[@VaqueroVegano]

“Negus”

[@ArunKumar-xh8vp]

0.45 it's not our community bad in sports it's u just don't allow your children to participate in sports. That's the prblm with Indian community

[@RajGandhasri]

IMHO, there is no way the Indian Americans can thrive in Basketball or American Football with our stature... Tennis, may be baseball, golf (Vijay Singh is already made waves in this sport) are something that can be tried... will see what the next generation kids do.

[@sanjogh777]

He's right. We suck at all the sports. Leave the stupid Cricket, there's no physical sport we are good at. Even in Guinness World Records we have records like world's longest beard, longest nails, which is fucking hilarious.

[@neverahandle]

Oh shut up, Not everyone is Gujarati or Telegu. Never heard of Brandon Chillar? Don't stereotype all Indains with gujus and telegus. There are enough who can thrive in sports specially basketball and Football. Maybe you should come up to Canada to see how we own people in football, baseball, basketball, MMA. Don't stereotype or else you will be called a fag. Not everyone is a gujju or telegu. We Hindus from other part are way physically fit then you gujjust and telegus can imagine.

[@sanjnas1560]

BRUHHHHHH HES GOES TO MY SCHOOL

[@linomacho9983]

the family is so cute

[@rohithk011]

"Cut down swimming.." BC.... typical India parents..

[@Ronis88]

Lol, start spell like you write or write like you spell.