National Spelling Bee has 48 semifinalists

The 83rd Scripps National Spelling Bee has been narrowed from 273 spellers from across the globe to 48 semifinalists, including three from the D.C. area.

The semifinalists were selected based on a written test they took Wednesday and two televised rounds Thursday.

Competition will continue Friday. The champion will receive a trophy and more than $40,000 in cash and prizes on national television Friday evening.

The 48 semifinalists include two students from Virginia and one from Maryland. All three attend home school, according to their online biographies.

Tim Ruiter, 12, an eighth-grade student from Centreville, spelled "canapé" and "paparazzo" to advance to the semifinals. He tied for second place last year.

Lanson Tang, 14, of Potomac, correctly spelled "obelisk" and "prabhu." Sarah Anne Allen, 12, of Waynesboro, Va., spelled "sarsaparilla" and "alation."