NATIONAL SPELLING BEE: ROUND FIVE

Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan of Colorado? Decamped after being done in by castrensian. Back to the barre for her! And purported favorite Samir Patel? Unhinged by clevis, which he spelled C-L-E-V-I-C-E. He left to a standing ovation but...an appeal might give him another chance.

Prateek Kohli (pictured)? He nailed onychomycosis, thereby qualifying for Round Six--as far as he got last year. Prateek's story this year is very moving.

The only other Round Sixer representing the tri-state area is Joseph Henares of New Haven, Connecticut. He enters Round Six having spelled recommended, sieve, kiddush, and furfuraceous without flaking out.

Joseph and Prateek are now among 33 spelling survivors including Evan O'Dorney of Walnut Creek, California.