Aadhya Adhikari, center, prepares to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. (Photo provided)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aadhya Adhikari said her second trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee left her more confident, more motivated and already planning for next year.

Adhikari, who is going into sixth grade at Veritas Classical Academy, represented the Mid-Ohio Valley at the national competition in Washington, D.C., after advancing from The Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee in March. She finished 96th out of 247 spellers, placing in the top half of the national field, but did not advance.

“I feel really well,” Adhikari said. “The first and second rounds, I did really well, and I was near the cutoff for the third round.”

Adhikari said she prepared by studying one to two hours a day, focusing mostly on the first two rounds and spelling tracks. After making her second appearance at nationals, she said she felt stronger on stage than last year.

“The first two rounds last year I was really nervous, but this year I felt much more confident,” she said.

From left, Pushpa Uprety, Aadhar Adhikari, Aadhya Adhikari and Dr. Suman Adhikari pose in front of the "Bee Week" sign at the Scripps National Spelling Bee that Aadhya was set to compete in. (Photo provided)

Adhikari said part of what brought her back to the competition was the experience itself, including the chance to be on stage and feel the support from the audience.

“I love being on stage and seeing all those people in the audience cheering me on,” she said.

Her trip also included time visiting historic sites and museums in the nation’s capital. Adhikari said she visited the World War I Memorial and planned to visit Planet Word, an immersive language museum, and the National Air and Space Museum.

“Just learning more about history,” she said when asked about her favorite part of the museums.

Adhikari said she plans to compete again next year and already knows how she wants to adjust her studying. Because she is more comfortable with the early rounds, she said she wants to focus more on root words and spelling drills.

From left, Aadhar and Aadhya Adhikari pose in front of the Washington Monument. (Photo provided)

For other students interested in spelling bees, Adhikari had simple advice: “Focus on root words, and be consistent and persistent.”

Her mother, Pushpa Uprety, said the experience is about more than advancing through rounds.

“I feel like more (than) winning, it’s more about being here enjoying the moment,” Uprety said. “Once you put your effort, the winning or making to several rounds, it’s just the outcome of it. So just have to give your 100% effort without thinking about losing, winning.”

Adhikari’s brother, Aadhar, also traveled with the family after placing second at the regional competition. Adhikari said she enjoyed showing him what the national bee was like.

“It was really fun,” she said. “I just wish both of us could have competed.”

Uprety said she hopes her daughter continues to build on her interest in language and reading.

“I just wish she does not give up,” Uprety said. “She just keeps on continuing her love for words and love for reading books.”

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.