For New York School, A Share of Bee Winner's Victory

Article by Matthew Hampton

When Arvind Mahankali correctly spelled "knaidel" to win the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee, he was showered in confetti and adoring cheers from an audience of ardent vocab enthusiasts.

And he almost didn't even move. It was actually pretty badass. Mahankali's statuesque celebration made Jordan's last shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals look positively ebullient in comparison. 

But if the Bayside Hills speller wasn't giving anything away, his fans and former classmates in Forest Hills were ready to cheer.

"We're feeling a lot of excitement, we're very proud of him," said Sunila Tejpaul, the education director at Forest Hills Montessori School. "The students want a party because Arvind is the champion, they all feel like winners here." 

Mahankali's formative spelling years all came at Forest Hills Montessori, and many of the students there still know and in many ways revere him, Tejpaul said. 

The school's website hosts a photo of a younger Mahankali participating in the 2010 bee. 

Tejpaul said the school's students and faculty are hoping Mahankali stops by soon, once the flurry of attention dies down a little.

"He has a whole following here, and he still comes to visit," she said. "I'm sure he's going to come and bring us his trophy." 

Fiona Carson, Mahankali's teacher for three years at the school, said seeing his development has been astonishing.

"Watching him, we knew this moment was going to come," Carson said. "He's so determined and so diligent, he's a true role model for students in that age group." 

Carson also praised Mahankali's confidence, something that was evident in a Patch interview with him after he finished third in 2011.

"Right now, I’m pretty satisfied," he said. "Next year I plan on winning.” 

What's one year to a kid like that, anyway?