The countdown to the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee is on.
This year, the Bee will welcome 234 spellers from May 31 to June 2 for the national rounds in National Harbor, Maryland.
Spellers will represent four countries in addition to the U.S., including the Bahamas, Canada, Germany and Ghana.
There will be spellers from other U.S. territories, including the Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
The youngest speller this year is just 7 years old.
The spelling competition will be fully in-person for the first time since 2020. In 2021, it was held mostly in a virtual format with the finals taking place in person.
The champion this year will receive a $50,000 cash prize.
Preliminaries will begin May 31, quarterfinals are scheduled for June 1 and finals will take place June 2.
Actor and educator LeVar Burton will serve as the host during the semifinal and final rounds.
