From left, Dr. Suman Adhikari, Aadhar Adhikari, Aadhya Adhikari and Pushpa Uprety celebrate Aadhya’s attendance at the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — For 9-year-old Aadhya Adhikari, a fourth-grade student at Veritas Classical Academy, her self-proclaimed love for words recently took her all the way to Washington, D.C., where she competed in the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The national stage is no small feat, and Aadhya didn’t just arrive–she stood out. Among the 243 contestants, she was the second youngest competitor and the only 9-year-old to participate this year.

“Going to the national bee was really exciting,” Adhikari said during an interview. “I’m just really glad I made it this far.”

The experience was packed with intense competition. Adhikari successfully passed the first and second rounds of the bee and gave a strong effort in the third round, which included a rigorous 40-question test: 28 spelling questions and 12 vocabulary questions.

Though she narrowly missed advancing to the semifinals, ranking 100 out of 243 spellers, Adhikari remains optimistic and already has her sights set on next year.

Veritas Classical Academy student Aadhya Adhikari, right, competes in the 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, alongside Kaden Haddox, left, of Steubenville and Brett Kuprowicz of Martins Ferry. (Photo Provided)

“My goal next year is to make it to the semifinals,” she said. “I’ll probably study roots and suffixes and stuff like that.”

The journey to D.C. didn’t come without effort. Adhikari focused much of her preparation this year on the Preliminary Word List, a strategy that helped her advance through school and regional levels. Her mother, Pushpa Uprety, noted that the school made a special exception to allow her to compete, as most participants were in fifth grade and above.

“She is only in fourth grade,” Uprety said. “We didn’t have great expectations this time because it was her first national bee, but she made us incredibly proud.”

While the competition was the highlight of the trip, the family also made time to enjoy D.C. and visit relatives in the area. A trolley tour was planned for the following day–one of the fun activities beyond the spelling stage.

Adhikari was quick to offer thanks to those who supported her along the way.

“I want to thank my school, Veritas, and Mrs. Rehl and Mrs. McKay. I want to thank my mom for helping me study, my dad, and my little brother for encouraging me,” she said.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com