Five Girls Advance To Spelling Bee Final Round | National Spelling Bee Finals

5 Girls To Watch In Tonight’s Spelling Bee Finals

3:30 pm, May 31st | by Amy Tennery

If you’re a logophile (or, perhaps, someone who’s seen the documentary Spellbound, which is amazing) you’re probably stoked for tonight’s Scripps National Spelling Bee final round.

Or maybe you’re just a nerd like me. But if you’re not, let me at least try to pique your interest.

There are nine spellers left vying for the championship — five girls and four boys. And while we wish them all well, it’s kind of our prerogative to cheer the gals on. (Of course, Arvind Mahankali is from Queens so we’re rooting for him too. Actually, we’re really rooting for all of them. Anyway.)

Want to watch five brainiac gals rock words you’ve never heard of in your life? Of course you do. Watch at 8 pm on ESPN tonight — and get to know the competitors!

(All images via spellingbee.com)

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1.Emma Ciereszynski, Manchester, New Hampshire (Age 14)

Emma Ciereszynski got into the semi-finals by spelling "sabermetrics" correctly (among other words), which means watching Moneyball really does pay off, guys. Better spelling through Brad Pitt! Ciereszynski says she could read proficiently by the age of 2, which, yep, makes sense. And she loves horseback riding.

2.Lena Greenberg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Age 14)

We promise we're not playing favorites here but Lena Greenberg kind of has our heart. She's a published author (In four different magazines! And she's 14!) and the one-time editor of Yaldah magazine, a publication for Jewish girls. Team Journo for the win.

3.Jordan Gabriella Hoffman, Kansas City, Missouri (Age 14)

In addition to being a three-time bee competitor, Jordan Gabriella Hoffman composes music and lyrics "in her spare time." Spare time. Anyway, moving on. She's also currently planning a benefit concert in her home town. Rock on, Hoffman.

4.Stuti Mishra, Orlando, Florida (Age 14)

This is the second year in a row that Stuti Mishra has made it to the final day of the bee competition. So, yep, she's pretty much a force with which to be reckoned. She's also quadrilingual. No big.

5.Snigdha Nandipati, San Diego, California (Age 14)

Snigdha Nandipati is basically good at everything. That's the only way I can really put this. She plays the violin, is an executive member of her school's Yearbook Club, she's earned several medals in the Science Olympiad, competes in state math competitions and she's fluent in Telugu. Her bee bio also indicates that she enjoys reading "whodunits," which is awesome.