Shivashankar Named Co-Champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee
May 28, 2015
CONTACT:
Ann Kohn
Media Relations 913-780-8247 kohna@olatheschools.org
OLATHE – Vanya Shivashankar, who recently completed eighth grade at California Trail Middle School, was named co-champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday night after numerous rounds of the bee. She tied for first with Gokul Venkatachalam from Chesterfield, Mo.
This was the fifth and final year Shivashankar could compete in the bee. Her sister, Kavya, won the national bee in 2009 by correctly spelling “Laodicean.”
Next year, Shivashankar plans to go to Olathe North High School and take part in the Distinguished Scholars program, a 21
st Century High School Program. She has said she would like to study science to prepare her for a possible career in medicine.
Vanya’s parents are Mirle and Sandy Shivashankar.
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About the Olathe Public Schools
The Olathe School District is the largest school district in the Kansas City metropolitan area and is located southwest of Kansas City, in Johnson County, Kan. The district serves students from Olathe and parts of Lenexa, Overland Park and Shawnee. Home to more than 29,000 students and 4,300 staff members, the district’s vision is Preparing Students for Their Future. For more information about the Olathe Public Schools, visit the district’s website at www.olatheschools.com.