The darkened auditorium was tense as Tanay Patri stepped to the microphone.
If the two-time champ could spell one more word, he’d take home his third straight regional spelling bee championship trophy.
After a few short moments of contemplation, the McCallie School seventh-grader sealed his victory with a calm, confident “W-H-I-M-S-I-C-A-L.”
The room erupted in applause as the Boy Scout, swimmer and pianist claimed his trophy and $500 award.
Tanay and his family are now headed to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and Patri said he’s lucky to have made it through the competition.