Bailey: Don’t forget to recognize the 11-year-old who cast a S-P-E-L-L
Josh Verma, 11, of Germantown, appears in the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Jose Luis Magana/AP file)
Clay Bailey
Clay Bailey, a lifelong Memphian, has worked as a reporter in the city four decades. He concentrated on suburban coverage for the bulk of his career, except for a stint as sports editor of The Daily Memphian when it launched in September 2018. He now is suburban editor and also serves as a freelance sports writer for The Associated Press.
Josh Verma made it to the national spelling bee for the third straight year. Even though he was eliminated this week, the Farmington Elementary student deserves notice.
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