Clara Wicoff is participating in the National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md.
The bee began Tuesday with a 25-word written test. Each correctly spelled word was worth 1 point.
Today’s rounds two and three have the 275 contestants onstage from 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. spelling a variety of challenging words. Words spelled correctly today are worth 3 points each.
Fifty spellers will be selected from the top combined scores; qualifying them for Thursday’s semifinal competition which will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
The final round will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Today’s competition is aired live on ESPN3.
Thursday’s competitions will be aired on ESPN. The semifinalists will be announced at about 4:30 p.m.
Clara, 13, won the Sunflower State Spelling Bee on March 12, earning her a berth in the national competition. This is her second time at nationals; she also participated in 2009.
Clara is the daughter of Joel and Lisa Wicoff of Iola.
Wicoff at bee
