News Summary
Vlada Kozhevnikova, a 12-year-old sixth grader from St. Petersburg, is set to represent Florida in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sponsored by local sports foundations, she previously competed last year and is eager to perform better. A multilingual student passionate about reading and writing, Kozhevnikova embodies the talent of young spellers in her community as she prepares for the national finals in Washington D.C.
St. Petersburg, Fla. – Vlada Kozhevnikova, a talented 12-year-old sixth grader, is set to represent her school and the Sunshine State in the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month. The event will take place in Washington D.C., with the finals scheduled for May 29, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., after preliminary rounds begin on May 27.
Kozhevnikova, a student at the Pinellas Academy of Math & Science, is among 12 contestants representing Florida out of a total of 243 participants from across the nation. She is being sponsored by the Rays Baseball Foundation and the Rowdies Soccer Fund.
Last year, Kozhevnikova competed in the spelling bee but was eliminated in the sixth round after misspelling the word “stalace.” Despite this setback, she is determined to perform better this year. Her love for reading fiction, particularly the Harry Potter series, fuels her enthusiasm for language and words. In addition to her reading passion, Kozhevnikova aspires to be an author and is currently writing a fantasy thriller.
Kozhevnikova is multilingual; she speaks both Russian and English and is currently learning Spanish. Beyond her academic and literary pursuits, she is also musically inclined, playing the clarinet, and enjoys outdoor activities like soccer and swimming.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1925 with few interruptions, including during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. This prestigious event not only showcases the skills of young spellers but also has a notable history of champions from Florida. In fact, Kozhevnikova’s participation follows two consecutive winners from the Tampa Bay area, including last year’s champion, Bruhat Soma, a fellow 12-year-old from Tampa.
The competition format includes multiple stages: preliminaries, quarterfinals, and semifinals, leading up to the finals. Winners are awarded a range of prizes, with the champion receiving $50,000, a commemorative medal, a trophy, and various educational prizes. The presence of Kozhevnikova in this year’s contest underscores the competitiveness and talent of young spellers from the St. Petersburg area.
With her passion for spelling and an array of interests, Kozhevnikova represents the bright potential within her community. As the national spelling bee approaches, local residents and fans look forward to cheering her on as she competes against the nation’s best young spellers.
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Additional Resources
- WTSP: St. Petersburg girl competing in National Spelling Bee
- Wikipedia: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Tallahassee Democrat: 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Google Search: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- I Love the Burg: Adult Spelling Bee in St. Pete
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spelling Bee
- The News Leaders: SJP student wins regional spelling bee
- Google News: Spelling Bee
- Today: Scripps Spelling Bee Winner 2024
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
