Round Rock ISD Teen Is Finalist In 2021 National Spelling Bee

ROUND ROCK, TX — A Round Rock ISD teen will be one of 11 finalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals competition in Orlando, Florida on Thursday.

Akshainie Kamma, 13, of Austin was announced as a finalist competitor in the National Spelling Bee competition on Friday. Kamma, who is a seventh grader at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock, is the only Austin Metro student to compete in the finals.

Kamma is now in the running for a prize of $50,000 and national recognition. Just for making it to the finals, she's guaranteed to walk away with at least $2,000.

This isn't Kamma's first time competing on the national-level spelling bee. She was tied for 51st place nationally in the 2019 competition. The other 51st place winner was Bhavana Midini of Long Island. Midini, 13, will also be one of the 11 finalists in Thursday's competition.

"Wildcat Nation is beyond proud of Akshainie!" Walsh Middle School officials said in a June 28 Facebook post. "Congratulations on making it to the finals and all of the hard work, dedication, and grit it has taken. Wildcat Nation will be rooting for you in the finals!"

Kamma was involved in her student council for three years and has applied to National Junior Honor Society this year, according to her spelling bee bio.

She was granted the honor of speaking at her fifth grade graduation ceremony in front of hundreds of people, and has also received the qualification of "Testing with Distinction" after acing the PSAT in sixth grade.

The 13-year-old is one of four Texans to compete in the spelling bee finals. The other competitors from Texas include Vivinsha Vederu, 11, of Fort Worth; Dhroov Bharatia, 12, of Dallas; and Vihaan Sibal, 12, of Waco.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee finals are scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcasted on ESPN 2.

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