Immediately after winning the National Spelling Bee Gokul Venkatachalam was thrust into the media spotlight. He appeared on morning talk shows and Jimmy Kimmel Live. He traveled from D.C. to New York, to Los Angeles, and back again before returning to Chesterfield. By Venkatahalam’s estimation he talked to roughly 70 news outlets.
“At first it was confusing, but now that I look at it, it was very useful because it helped me get better at public speaking and answering questions,” said the champ.
The teen’s win earned him $35,000 in a competition that begins with more than 11 million contestants from all 50 states. Venkatachalam had previously competed in the spelling bee but admits he wasn’t the speller he is today. He grew up in Chesterfield, and began competing in spelling bees while in third grade. His first competitions were defined by rote memorization.
The scholarship he needed to work on get harder as the competition got tougher.
To win, Venkatachalam studied Latin, Greek and a little German for root works that make up much of the basis of the English language. He’s also studied language patterns, how definitions of words relate to their spelling, and developed his own study habits that allow him to cover hundreds of words in a couple hours. Some say developing strong spelling skills doesn’t apply to real life, but Venkatachalam said these habits and problem-solving techniques can be used in the professional world.
“I learned how to use my language more effectively and my vocabulary got a lot better. I see words and I can break them down just by looking at them,” he said. “If you know it, it can be useful in anything.”
He credits Claymont Elementary School with largely contributing to his success by registering for the spelling bee every year. Annual registration is a prerequisite for allowing students to compete toward the national level. After the initial media tour, the 15 year old returned home where both the elementary and middle schools in the Parkway School District honored him publicly.
The summer was punctuated by continued calls from various media outlets and public appearances alongside sports greats and other local celebrities.
He’s been surprised by the opportunities that came with the win. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one of Venkatachalam’s heroes, sent him a pair of autographed shoes. The spelling victor was flown back out to New York to attend the country’s largest sneaker convention.
He was also invited to oversee a spelling competition between politicians and journalists at the National Press Club. He said the experience allowed him to see the politicians’ humanity and think about politics less divisively.
“When you grow up most people are only exposed to one side but when I’m this young and I’m able to see both sides, I can make a decision later,” he said.
The student settled back into normal life this fall and returned to school. He found support among classmates who were excited for his win but treated him like any other high-school freshman.
“I feel like it’s that classic situation, that it’s just like that one person in that entire school achieves something and everyone’s just proud of that person, like you see in those movies,” he said. “At the same time they don’t treat you different.”
When asked what’s changed after his success, Venkatachalam said he’s unsure about the future but right now he’s just the same person that has to go to school every day.
