Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott congratulated Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Arvind Mahankali in a statement Friday afternoon.
“When I met Arvind and his family last spring, I was struck by his determination to come in first place this year," Walcott said. "All of us – students, educators, Queens residents, and New Yorkers – are so proud of him today."
Walcott also praised the work done at JHS 74 in Queens, where Mahankali is currently a student — for another couple of weeks, anyway.
"JHS 74 Principal Anthony Armstrong for being a wonderful school leader, mentor, and cheerleader. I wish Arvind the best of luck as he moves on to Stuyvesant High School in the fall."
Mahankali also studied at Forest Hills Montessori School before middle school.
Walcott couldn't resist weighing in on Mahankali's winning word.
"For the record, I love knaidel but I’m not sure I could have spelled it last night,” he said.
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