HOPKINSVILLE, KY. (WTVF) — For the second year in a row, Hopkinsville hosted a qualifying event for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the top local speller is in Maryland right now for the big event!
"I just have to imagine myself so I can get used to it so I'm not nervous when I go up there," said Hopkinsville speller Josh Bullen.
Bullen is 13 and attends Hopkinsville Middle School.
He told NewsChannel 5 he didn't even win his class spelling bee, but his teacher thought he was talented enough to try to win at the prelims and he did! He is an avid reader who has prepared each day for Nationals since March.
"I study for like an hour, twice a day so two hours the entire day. I search for the definitions of the words , vocabulary and I try to memorize the words in my head," he said.
Josh earned a $500 gift card, a trophy and a medal.
Mina Chen who just finished 8th grade at Lipscomb Academy is also competing this year.
I always say storytelling is a team sport, and a key part of the NewsChannel 5 team is our photojournalists. They are nationally recognized for their talents, more importantly, they are also great people. Enjoy this peek behind the lens, get to know them, and see some of their most notable work of 2025!
- Carrie Sharp
