CITY HALL — Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with Queens spelling whiz Arvind Mahankali Tuesday and praised the youth on his perseverance.
Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, beat out 281 other students to and brought the Scripps National Spelling Bee trophy home to New York last week after three years of placing third in the competition.
“This young man’s dedication and persistence for spelling has led him to win in his third try,” said Mayor Bloomberg, noting that the young man is a product of the city's public education system.
He won the award by successfully spelling "knaidel" — a Yiddish word for small mass of leavened dough.
Mahankali said that his secret for success was writing out the word in his palm helps him visualize the word more effectively.
Mahankali’s parents and younger brother sit front row watching him receive this honor from the mayor.
“I would like to thank my parents and most of all my little brother for all their help and support,” said Mahankali. “New York is in a class of its own,” said Mahankali.
He will be attending Stuyvesant High School after he graduates.