July 8, 2021, 7:15 p.m. ETJuly 8, 2021, 7:15 p.m. ET The New York Times The 11 spellers competing in the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee hail from seven states and the Bahamas, and have just finished fifth through eighth grade.Credit...Scripps National Spelling Bee More than half have experience on the national stage. One eighth grader is a seasoned veteran of the most competitive circuit. A third call Texas home. These are the students who reached the finals of this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee. They hail from seven states and the Bahamas, and have just finished fifth through eighth grade. Four are from Texas, including two from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.