12 spellers make National Spelling Bee finals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jacob Williamson shrieked with delight, sank to his knees and pounded the stage as his name was called as one of the 12 finalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Jacob, easily the most demonstrative of the dozen spellers who will compete Thursday night for more than $33,000 in prizes, said he was surprised to have made it so far in his first National Spelling Bee appearance. The 15-year-old home-schooled eighth-grader was even more amazed that two of last year’s finalists won’t be joining him.