Claymont Elementary 5th-grader wins Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee
Date: 3/17/2012 Album ID: 1434790
Photos by Christian Gooden
Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam edged out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word 'telegnosis' at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee at Anheuser-Busch Learning Center at Maryville University in St. Louis.
Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam (left) celebrates winning the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee with his father Venkatachalam Krishnan and brother Mehul Venkatachalam on Saturday, March 17, 2012, in the auditorium of the Anheuser-Busch Learning Center at Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam (right) poses near his father Venkatachalam Krishnan after winning the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012  Anheuser Busch Learning Center at Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis. Watching proudly was his father Krishnan. GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat seventh grader Sam Tillman (right) of Alton Middle School to win the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012, in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center at Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Isaac Orbin of Wedgewood Elementary waited for more information as he prepared to spell mirage at the beginning of round two during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Yatin Chandar of Pierremont Elementary wrote letters on an imaginary slate as he spelled schnauzer during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Ameera Zafar of Mason Ridge Elementary attempted to spell frontispiece for judge Indira Nair (left) and pronouncer Catherine Bear during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Aida Zyba of Bayless Intermediate School stood with her arms akimbo as she attempted to spell tritium during annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Contestants filed back into their seats for the start of round four during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Nathan Collins of Truman Middle school had a small case of the nerves as he waited his turn at the end of the fifth round during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Youngsters that had been disqualified for misspellings still enjoyed watching their peers during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Judge Helen Rager prepared for the next round toward the close of the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Aakaash (Aanjaneyaa) Venkataraman of Chesterfield Day School stood at the mic while attempting his word during the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam spelled topepo during round eight of the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam showed off his new trophy as judge Indira Nair (left) and pronouncer Catherine Bear looked on following the the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatachalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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Claymont Elementary fifth grader Gokul Venkatachalam paused for a photo op with his teacher Carly Schulze (right) and former third grade teacher Becky Meier after winning the annual St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 17 2012 in the auditorium of the Anheuser Busch Learning Center on the Campus of Maryville University in St. Louis. Venkatacalam beat out 35 other students after successfully spelling the word telegnosis.  GARVEY SCOTT/Special to the Dispatch
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