Long Island Girl Competing In National Spelling Bee Finals

PLAINVIEW, NY — A Plainview girl will be representing all of Long Island at the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals next week in Orlando, Florida.

Bhavana Madini, a 13-year-old student at Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School, is one of just 11 finalists from around the country to make it to the finals. She is now in the running for a price of $50,000 and national recognition. Just for making it to the finals, she's guaranteed to walk away with at least $2,000.

It is not Madini's first time to the national-level spelling bee. She came in 51st place nationally in the 2019 competition.

Madini is an avid reader, and said she loves to read biographies, which is a habit she picked up from her grandfather. She is the only competitor from New York — and from the entire Northeast — to make it to the finals this year.

"I'm really excited," Madini told Fox5 News. "I'm also very nervous but I'm working really hard so we'll see what happens."

The Scripps National Spelling Bee finals are scheduled for July 8. The competition will be broadcast on ESPN 2 starting at 8 p.m.