In January 2016, Priyanka Doddamani won the longest Spelling Bee in Sahasra Deepika’s history, going 21 rounds. She not only won a college scholarship, but she also got the opportunity to attend Bee Week at the National Spelling Bee as an observer–a visit she said changed her life. Priyanka met spellers from around the country and sat in on competitions. In her introductory remarks before the finals began, Paige Kimble, Executive Director, spoke. “There are many, many children around the world participating in English language spelling bees. For them, the words they learn in spelling bees are stepping stones to a more opportunity-rich life governed by how much English you know and how well you speak it. Some live lives of relative privilege, but many do not–including the girls I met in Bangalore, India at Sahasra Deepika…every year they host a Spelling Bee. The winner gets a college scholarship and a chance to completely reset her course in life. We are privileged to have one of Sahasra Deepika’s former residents here tonight, Priyanka Doddamani.” Priyanka proudly represented Sahasra Deepika, and India at Bee Week. All of us from Sahasra Deepika were so proud to receive this special recognition.
Sahasra Deepika is very proud to inform everyone that a former resident from the institution had a chance to attend Bee Week to represent India and Sahasra Deepika as an observer to the said event.
