2015 Long Island regional spelling bee

Semifinalist Jenna Miller, of Wantagh Middle School, waves during the Long Island Regional Scripps Spelling Bee hosted by Hofstra University in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the campus of Hofstra University on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Long Island regional spelling bee winner Sahil Sangwan, left, of Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, with semifinalists Ethan Reiser, of Jericho Middle School, Yuktha Chiguripati, of W. T. Clarke Middle School, and Jenna Miller, of Wantagh Middle School, on Feb. 8, 2015.

Winner Sahil Sangwan, of Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, is congratulated by the judges during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Winner Sahil Sangwan, of Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, is congratulated during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Ethan Reiser, of Jericho Middle School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Sejal Gupta, of Hicksville Middle School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Participating students take their seats inside the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the campus of Hofstra University during the Long Island regional spelling bee Feb. 8, 2015.

Rena Max, of HANC Plainview Elementary School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Participating students listen to a contestant spell a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Axelle LaBaw, of Robert M. Finley Middle School, uses her fingers to spell a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Valencia Hopkins, of Lawrence Road Middle School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Hannah Chu, of Herricks Middle School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

A student walks up to the microphone during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

The audience applauds during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Zekey Huang, of Mount Sinai Elementary School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

The remaining students take a stretch during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Rebecca Fox, of Robert Frost Middle School, counts the remaining contestants during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Ryan Himmelsbach, of Setauket Elementary School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Logan Mandra, of Old Country Road Elementary School, spells a word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Logan Mandra, of Old Country Road Elementary School, shows his excitement during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

The remaining contestants await their turns during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Sahil Sangwan, of Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, spells the final word during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Annemarie Uellendahl, of Baldwin Middle School, walks off stage during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Jenna Miller, of Wantagh Middle School, gives a thumbs-up during the Long Island regional spelling bee at Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.

Winner Sahil Sangwan, 13, of Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, is given a kiss by his mother, Neena Chaudhari, during the Long Island Regional Scripps Spelling Bee hosted by Hofstra University on Feb. 8, 2015.