13-year-old Arvind V. Mahankali is your 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, after correctly spelling the word K-N-A-I-D-E-L in the 15th round.
Mahankali, an 8th-grader at Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School in Queens, New York, has said that his favorite word he’s spelled so far is “sardoodledom” (well-made works of drama that have trivial, insignificant, or morally objectionable plots). I have a feeling that knaidel is about to take over that title.
Check out the enthusiasm and elation that Mahankali shows when he finally wins and the confetti begins to fall.
Jubilation! Well, can’t blame the kid for feeling relieved. I’m sure it’s a lot of pressure. Plus, it’s not like he didn’t expect to win. Mahankali had been working his way up to that moment, finishing tied for 9th in 2010, tied for 3rd in 2011, and 3rd in 2012. No need to jump around. Acting like you’ve been there before. Respect.
Oh, and if you were wondering, knaidel is a type of dumpling, eaten especially in Jewish households during Passover.