In a remarkable display of perseverance and linguistic prowess, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Plano, Texas, clinched the championship title at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Zaki secured his victory by correctly spelling "éclaircissement," a French-derived term meaning "enlightenment," during the 21st round of the competition.
This win marks a significant comeback for Zaki, who finished as the runner-up in the 2024 competition. His journey to the top was not without challenges; in an earlier round, he nearly stumbled on the word "commelina" but was reinstated along with other finalists after a series of collective missteps.
Competing against 243 spellers from across the United States and international locations, Zaki's victory adds to Texas's impressive record in the Bee, making him the state's 17th national champion.
Beyond the prestige of the Scripps Cup, Zaki's triumph comes with a $50,000 cash prize from Scripps, a $2,500 award and reference library from Merriam-Webster, and $400 worth of reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica.
Looking ahead, Zaki, a self-proclaimed "linguistics nerd," is considering participating in the math olympiad, reflecting his broad academic interests.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube