Ayesra Iqbal competes in the first annual UAE Spelling Bee Championship semi - finals at Jumeirah Beach Hotel's Meyana Auditorium. Christopher Pike / The National
Apoorva Srivastvav. Christopher Pike / The National
Liyana Kallooriyakath. Christopher Pike / The National
Students get some last minute studying in while waiting to compete. Christopher Pike / The National
Nandini Thomas, Kuhelika Ghosh, and Nandini Menon celebrate getting spelling their words correctly in the first round. Christopher Pike / The National
Students wait to compete. Christopher Pike / The National
Khaled Alfares reacts after successfully spelling 'myxomatosis.' Christopher Pike / The National
The judges during the first annual UAE Spelling Bee Championship semi-finals at Jumeirah Beach Hotel's Meyana Auditorium in Dubai on February 3, 2012. The championship was open to grade 6-12 students in the UAE with the finals being held at the Mall of the Emirates next Saturday. Christopher Pike / The National
Pranav Anad competes in the first annual UAE Spelling Bee Championship semi - finals at Jumeirah Beach Hotel's Meyana Auditorium in Dubai on February 3, 2012. The championship was open to grade 6-12 students in the UAE, with the finals being held at the Mall of the Emirates next Saturday. Christopher Pike / The National
Farhan Alvi reacts after successfully. Christopher Pike / The National
