Eighth-grader Kavya Shivashankar wins $ 40,000 in cash and prizes . Score: 6 Record 293 spellers compete ; ages range from 9 to 15 . Event has skyrocketed in popularity , thanks to exposure on TV and in movies .
Eighth-grader Kavya Shivashankar wins $ 40,000 in cash and prizes . 82nd annual Scripps National Spelling Bee goes 15 rounds . Record 293 spellers compete ; ages range from 9 to 15 . Event has skyrocketed in popularity , thanks to exposure on TV and in movies .