15 -grader Tim Ruiter wins $ 40,000 in cash and prizes . Shivashankar attends California Trail Junior High School . 82nd past years Scripps National Spelling Bee goes 15 rounds . Record 293 spellers compete ; ages range from 15 to 15 . Event has skyrocketed in popularity , thanks to exposure on TV and in movies .
15 -grader Tim Ruiter wins $ 40,000 in cash and prizes . 82nd past years Scripps National Spelling Bee goes 15 rounds . Record 293 spellers compete ; ages range from 15 to 15 . Event has skyrocketed in popularity , thanks to exposure on TV and in movies .