Ahaan Saha: A spelling star from Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park

Spelling competitions require not only a sharp memory but also a deep understanding of words, their origins, and pronunciations. Ahaan Saha, a Class 3 student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, has mastered this art, clinching the top spot in the prestigious Spell Bee competition for the second consecutive year. His love for learning new words, coupled with unwavering support from his family and school, has made him a spelling sensation. In this conversation, Ahaan shares his journey, preparation strategies, and experiences that led to his remarkable achievements.

Congratulations on winning the Spell Bee competition! How does it feel to be the school topper for the second consecutive year?

Thank you! I feel really happy and grateful to God for helping me achieve this. It feels amazing to win the competition again and make my school proud.

What do you enjoy most about participating in spelling competitions?

I love learning new words. It helps improve my vocabulary and makes me confident when I speak or write.

Who supported you the most during your preparation for the competition?

My mom was my biggest supporter. She helped me practice every day. My grandparents also played a big role by revising the words with me multiple times.

How did your school help you prepare for this competition?

The monthly spellathon tests at school were very helpful. They made me better at spelling and gave me confidence to tackle tricky words.

What techniques do you use to learn and remember difficult words?

I use phonetics to understand the pronunciation. For long words, I break them into smaller parts. I also revise multiple times and never try to learn a word without understanding its phonetics.

Can you tell us about your performance in the previous year?

Last year, I scored 97 out of 100 in level 1 and won medals for levels 2, 3, and 4. This year, there was only one level, and I scored 98 out of 100.

What challenges did you face during the competition?

The difficulty level of the words was mixed—some were easy, and some were hard. When I didn’t know a word, I relied on its pronunciation to figure out the spelling.

What motivates you to excel in such competitions?

I see these competitions as challenges to overcome. They push me to do my best and make me feel proud of my achievements.