Omkar Bharath, an 11-year-old sixth grader from Desert Canyon Middle School in Scottsdale, won the 2019 Arizona State Spelling Bee hosted by the Arizona Educational Foundation on Saturday, defeating 26 competitors. Photo courtesy Arizona Educational Foundation

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Omkar Bharath, an 11-year-old sixth grader from Desert Canyon Middle School in Scottsdale, won the 2019 Arizona State Spelling Bee hosted by the Arizona Educational Foundation on Saturday, defeating 26 competitors.

This was Bharath’s first time competing in the state spelling bee. He has visited many countries in Europe and Asia and plans to travel as much as he can. Bharath likes hanging out with his friends, laser tag, working on robotics challenges and learning different languages. His favorite movies include the original Star Wars trilogy and many Marvel movies.

Runners-up include Srihaas Ghanta of Archway Trivium East who placed second, Marcus Giorza of Madison #1 School who placed third, Jackson Greer of St. Johns Middle School who placed fourth and Aliyah Alpert of Alpert Homeschool who placed fifth.

Bharath will head to Washington, D.C., to represent Arizona in the 90th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee May 26-June 1, 2019. In addition to thisall-expenses paid trip for two, he won $800 cash, a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium and will be sent a copy of a Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.

Omkar Bharath with his trophy

All 27 finalists received a choice of The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, courtesy of Harrison Middleton University.

This is the Arizona Educational Foundation’s 21st year sponsoring the Arizona State Spelling Bee. “Over 120,000 Arizona students competed in spelling bees this year. By hosting the State Spelling Bee, AEF is proud to celebrate the hard work and dedication of these students,” said executive director Kim Graham.

“It’s a pleasure for AEF to sponsor the Spelling Bee each year,” said Director of Programs and Partnerships Dan Allen. “It’s a beautiful way to celebrate and showcase the talents and achievements of students from across the state.”

A broadcast of the 2019 Arizona State Spelling Bee will air on Sunday, May 5 at a time TBD on Arizona PBS (Channel 8). Viewers can also watch the program with highlights from the event on the Arizona PBS website after the air-date.

MORE DETAILS

To schedule interviews with the winner or set up an interview in D.C. after the winner participates in the National Scripps Spelling Bee, please contact Dan Allen at dan@azedfoundation.org, (928) 600-7092.

Click here for more information on the AEF Arizona Spelling Bee.