May 28, 2009 Spelling Bee champ to be crowned Play video

(NECN: Washington, D.C.) - The gold medal of spelling will be given out Thursday night, after the final round of the 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee.

As is the case with other competitions, the spellers are hungry to win, but gracious about it.

"Even when they're competing against each other, they're all cheering each other on," host Tom Bergeron said.

You can call it grace under pressure. And it is not just the record 293 kids who competed this year who are feeling the heat. So are the parents.

In every round to get here -- words. Some have foreign origins. Others are just plain difficult.

"Some of the words look like Pat Sajack and Vanna White threw up some vowels," Bergeron said. "I look at some of these words and say what is that?"

With every word, spellers flaunt their smarts. They also show off their personalities.

Judges are in charge, reading out the words and prompts to guide, or buy time, for spellers.

Although sometimes, even the judge needs a little help.

Wednesday, it was the thrill of advancing closer to the finals. For others, disappointment that comes with defeat.

But for most, spelling their way to the Bee in Washington, D.C. is in itself, a victory.

ABC's Viviana Hurtado reports.