Contestants displaying their skills in the National Spelling Bee.
Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Rice Middle School, excelled in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, becoming the only Texan to advance past the 10th round. This marked Zaki’s fourth attempt at the competition. His dedication, including reading the dictionary multiple times and achieving a perfect score on the written test, showcased his growth as a speller. The event highlighted Texas’s strong legacy in spelling competitions, with other North Texas participants also demonstrating competitive talent.
Plano – Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old seventh grader from Rice Middle School, shined in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, emerging as the only Texas speller to make it past the 10th round. The prestigious competition, which took place in Oxon Hill, Maryland, featured 243 spellers from across the nation, with 22 hailing from Texas and only four from North Texas.
This year marked Zaki’s fourth attempt at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a contest he previously placed second in last year. As he prepared diligently, he read the dictionary cover to cover approximately three or four times to hone his skills. His preparation paid off; in a notable performance, he achieved a perfect score on the written spelling and vocabulary test that determined the quarterfinalists.
Over the course of the Bee, Zaki navigated through seven rounds on Wednesday, putting him directly in contention for the championship in the finals. As other North Texas contestants faced elimination, including Shreyansh Zadoo and Avishka Dudala, both eliminated in Round 7, Zaki’s exceptional performance stood out, demonstrating his growth and dedication as a speller.
Alongside Zaki, fellow North Texas participant Brihasa Veduru advanced to the finals, showcasing the region’s competitive talent. The competition represented a significant achievement for all spellers, who received a prize package that included a certificate of participation. The champion will walk away with a cash prize of $50,000, while finalists can earn additional cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 based on their final placement.
This year’s event highlighted the strong legacy of success for Texas spellers. The last speller to claim the championship title from the state was Harini Logan in 2022, while Rohan Raja from North Texas won in 2019. Zaki, motivated by these precedents, expressed a deep enthusiasm for the opportunity to potentially win the title this year, feeling thankful for both his spelling abilities and the friendships cultivated through the competition.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrated for its high level of competition and rigorous standards. Historically, only a select few runners-up have managed to win the championship in subsequent years, indicating the challenge and prestige associated with the event. This year, the youngest contestant was Zachary Teoh, an 8-year-old from Houston, who competed actively and tied for 74th place after his elimination in the quarterfinals due to a vocabulary question.
As the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee approached, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. With numerous spellers showcasing their talents and hard work, the event illustrated not only a competition of intellect but also a celebration of educational achievement and community spirit.
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