WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minna Danziger, back-to-back winner of the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s Regional Spelling Bee, was eliminated from national competition.
The word was “trismus,” a condition commonly known as “lockjaw” — an irony for the competitive speller who progressed into round four of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the DAR Constitution Hall Auditorium, Washington, D.C.
Danziger, a 13-year-old seventh-grader, is considered a quarterfinalist. She also won the regional bee in 2025, and competed in the Record-Eagle sponsored trip, finishing in what’s considered tied for 184th place. This year she finished tied for 79th place.
As of Wednesday evening, spellers were on the ninth round of competition to determine who would progress to the live final round televised from 8 -10 p.m. Thursday, May 28, on ion.