On Thursday afternoon, the world for the first time met Jacob Williamson, a talented speller who made it to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and captured viewers' hearts with this celebration.
According to Williamson's biography on the official Scripps National Spelling Bee website, the 15-year-old is a "avid numismatist — a student of currency — and has collected coins since he was four years old." He also plays fantasy football and we're pretty sure is going to be our boss one day.
Williamson celebrated each word he got correct with similar enthusiasm as when he found out he was going to the finals. And it was refreshing to watch someone have the time of their lives at an event that was stressful even to watch on TV.
But with seven spellers remaining, Williamson was faced with a tough word: kabarogoya.
When he learned he spelled it wrong, he looked at the judge in disbelief and the fans that he had gained in such a short amount of time instantly reacted on Twitter.
In an interview with ESPN after his loss, Williamson said he will "remember this always."
"It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it," he said. "I thought I knew that word but I guess I didn't."
And while Williamson may go home without the title of spelling bee champion, he was by far one of the more enjoyable parts of the Bee. Which means every year he'll be one of those highlights and memories that fans of the Bee look back to — and he didn't even have to faint on stage.
