Photo: Heather Diehl / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A fifth-grader from Lake Charles is competing in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Paranika Ethakota attends T.S. Cooley Elementary School, and she's one of more than 200 students competing for the Scripps Cup and a $50,000 cash prize.
The 11-year-old advanced out of the first preliminary round when they gave her an easy one: "étouffée."
Paranika has been to the Bee before, having tied for 60th place in the 2024 competition.
The 2026 National Spelling Bee continues through Thursday.
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