Slate’s explainer Brian Palmer outlined how winners of spelling bees do later in life. Highlights of his explanation include:

• A surprising number build careers focused on understanding the human mind. They include professions such as psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, and psychologists.
• Others work as journalists. One even won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 1989 Bay Area earthquake.
• Some seem to become addicted to games of wit. The 2002 winner is on the international poker circuit while others have appeared on shows such as Teen Jeopardy.
• A lot stay with the competition. The current director won the Spelling Bee in 1981.
• None have won a Nobel Peace Prize.

To read the names and histories of these participants, as well as other examples of how they turn out, what the current champion wants to do with her life, the role that local newspapers play, the authors among them, and the place where you can hear the voice acting of one of them, click here.

Source: Slate