18 Photos Of Euphoric Spelling Bee Winners

This week, the 87th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee puts 281 grade schoolers to the ultimate test.

The contestants, ranging from 8 to 15 years old, have typically studied for years, won regional spelling bees, and made it through a multi-round process of elimination to end up on the national stage in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The winner of Thursday night's final round gets cash, swag - and the ultimate bragging rights.

We've found photos of some of the competition's past winners in their moments of glory.