Annapolis Student Competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee

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An Annapolis student is among 285 spellers competing for the title of 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion.

The preliminary rounds began Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, and continue through Wednesday afternoon.

William John Phillips Rogers, 14, an eighth-grader at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Annapolis, is among the contestants. His sponsor is Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

His profile on the spelling bee website says: “William turns on ESPN’s SportsCenter if he’s watching television because he loves sports — playing them, watching them and keeping up with all of the latest events. William’s favorite sport is tennis, but he also enjoys basketball and golf. William likes to collect autographs, and most of his collection is filled with famous professional and college athletes and coaches. His dream is to one day visit London to see the Wimbledon tennis tournament in person. In addition to sports, William enjoys playing the Jeopardy! video game and listening to Bruce Springsteen.”

The spellers’ favorite words include flibbertigibbet,onomatopoeia, schadenfreude, syzygy, tchotchke and triskaidekaphobia.

Semifinalists will be announced late Wednesday afternoon, and broadcast live on ESPN3.

Semifinals competition is set for Thursday morning, with the championship round to be held Thursday evening. ESPN will broadcast the finals lives starting at 8 p.m. ET.

»Photo of William John Phillips Rogers of Annapolis, courtesy of Mark Bowen/Scripps National Spelling Bee