News Summary
Faizan Zaki, a seventh-grade student from Texas, emerged victorious at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee by spelling ‘éclaircissement.’ Competing against 243 participants from across the U.S. and several countries, Zaki’s triumph marks a significant milestone in the history of the bee, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. He not only secured a cash prize of $52,500 and a custom trophy but also achieved a perfect score on the written exam. Zaki aims to inspire others with his success during this commemorative year.
Dallas, Texas – Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old seventh-grade student, clinched victory at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, successfully spelling the word “éclaircissement” in the 11th round of competition. This word, which translates to “the clearing up of something obscure,” secured Zaki’s win after he finished second in last year’s bee.
In this year’s spelling bee, Zaki faced stiff competition, with 243 contestants representing all 50 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. International competitors from Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait, and Nigeria also joined the contest. The event, marking its 100th anniversary, was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Maryland, where it has been hosted since 2011.
Zaki’s victory comes with significant rewards. He received a custom trophy, $52,500 in cash prizes, and a commemorative medal, along with a one-year subscription to both Merriam-Webster and the Encyclopedia Britannica. Zaki’s achievement adds to Texas’s legacy in the National Spelling Bee, which has produced a total of 16 champions, the most by any state.
The runner-up position was held by Saarvadnya Kadam, a 14-year-old from Visalia, California, who misspelled “Uaupes,” a name of a South American river, in the 10th round. All finalists ensured a minimum of $2,000 in prize money, with Kadam receiving $25,000 for her performance.
The 2025 competition began on Tuesday with preliminary rounds that eliminated 60 contestants. Following a written test, another 84 spellers were removed from the competitive field. The semifinal rounds concluded with nine finalists, who then competed in the final round on Thursday evening.
Along with his championship title, Zaki distinguished himself during the competition by achieving a perfect score on the written test. He successfully spelled various difficult words throughout the finals, including politique, daimiate, radicicolous, adytum, and olola.
Faizan Zaki’s extraordinary win comes at a time of celebration for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which has been conducted annually with the exception of interruptions during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event holds special historical significance as it commemorates a century of spelling excellence since its inception in 1925.
Following his win, Zaki expressed feelings of joy and amazement, indicating the unexpected nature of his triumph. He shares a deep appreciation for the support of his family during the competition, which included his parents and twin sister. Zaki aims to inspire others, particularly with his victory coinciding with the centenary celebration of the bee.
Zaki’s upcoming engagements include a scheduled appearance where he will ring the NASDAQ closing bell on Monday, marking a prominent post-competition celebration. The National Spelling Bee remains a cornerstone of educational achievement, with millions of young contestants striving for success in this highly respected arena.
The road to the spelling bee is intricate and challenging, with contestants needing to be under 15 years old and not beyond the eighth grade. This has ensured a diverse and dynamic group of young talents participating each year, fostering a spirit of competition and a love for language.
Overall, Faizan Zaki’s accomplishment not only highlights his remarkable spelling prowess but also contributes to the proud tradition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
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HERE Resources
Texas Speller Shines in National Competition
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW
- Google Search: Faizan Zaki Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Dallas News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Ottumwa Courier
- Google News: Faizan Zaki
