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Rocky Run Middle School eighth grader Nikita Ramakrishnan is heading to the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee after winning the 2025 Fairfax County Spelling Bee in March.
Her championship word was “xanthic,” an adjective of Greek origin meaning tinted yellow, particularly when describing a flower. Initially uncertain, Nikita worked through the word using its roots: “xanth” for yellow and the suffix “-ic” for related to.
After she finished spelling, the judges paused. Nikita feared she had made a mistake—until they declared her the Fairfax County champion.
The victory capped a yearslong climb through local spelling competitions. Nikita became interested in spelling in third grade, when her school introduced her to spelling bees and she discovered something she felt she could excel at.
She first advanced to the Fairfax County bee in fifth grade and finished third. She returned the following year and placed second, then slipped to the top 10 the next year. Nikita said that disappointment taught her to persevere through setbacks and continue working.
Her preparation has also evolved beyond memorization. When an unfamiliar word appears, she now studies its roots, language of origin and alternate pronunciations to determine how it is constructed.
With her county title secured, Nikita is studying four to six hours a day for the national competition. The Fairfax County Council PTA, the bee’s sponsor and Scripps regional partner for Fairfax County and Alexandria City, is supporting her trip to nationals.
Her mother, Poorani Ramachandran, serves as her head coach by organizing study sessions and identifying areas that need improvement. Her father, Ramakrishnan, known as Ram, provides encouragement and snacks while helping with emotional support. Nikita also draws inspiration from her grandmother, Srimathi, and credits her entire family with pushing her beyond what she thought she could achieve.
The national bee will be Nikita’s first—and only—opportunity to compete at that level. She expects the stage, lights, judges, reporters and ticking clock to create intense pressure, but spelling competitions have taught her to manage nervousness and remain focused.
She also has some familiarity with the setting after attending the national bee as an audience member in 2024.
Nikita hopes to advance far enough to make Fairfax County proud. Regardless of the result, she said spelling has strengthened her focus, time management and ability to handle stress—skills she expects to carry into Chantilly High School next year.
Nikita and her family thanked Rocky Run Middle School and the Fairfax County Council PTA for helping make her national appearance possible.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is scheduled for May 27-29, 2025, with the final two nights airing live on ION.