FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off this week in Washington, D.C. 14 Hoosier students will be among 281 other kids competing.   

The spellers range in age from 8 to 15 years old. The competition begins with preliminary computer-based testing on Tuesday. The second and third preliminary rounds are Wednesday followed by Thursday’s semifinals and championship rounds.

2014 marks the 70th year that Scripps has operated the National Spelling Bee.  ESPN will broadcast the Championship Finals from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29th.

The Indiana students competing are:

Tristan Hankins – Anderson

Alexandria Louise Wilt – Bloomington

Alekhya Ankaraju – Carmel

Vanessa Anna Jodlowski – Evansville

Akshaj Mishra – Evansville

Lwin Moe Aung – Fort Wayne

Victor Xiao – Indianapolis

Anastasia Spahr – Kokomo

Andy Bertodano – Lafayette

Jinwon Pae – Marion

Risha Mehta – Muncie

Hudson Wellin – South Bend

Kimmie Collins – Terre Haute

SeanKenneth Ives – Wanatah