In a remarkable milestone during the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Dallas, Texas, clinched the championship title by flawlessly spelling the word éclaircissement. With this triumph, Faizan walked away with the prestigious Scripps Cup, a commemorative medal, and a cash prize of $50,000, reported the India Today.
A student of C.M. Rice Middle School, Faizan began his journey into the world of spelling at the age of seven. What started as a casual family activity soon evolved into a deep passion. “He just enjoys learning new words,” shared his mother, Arshia Quadri. His father, Zaki Anwar, added, “We just wanted him to enjoy the experience. This is beyond our imagination.”
The 2025 spelling bee was especially memorable, marking its centennial year with 243 contestants aged 8 to 14 from across the globe. Held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 27 to 30, only nine participants advanced to the final round. Faizan secured victory in the intense 21st round.
Emotion overwhelmed Faizan as he collapsed to the floor in disbelief when the confetti fell. “I’m going to be having nightmares about that tonight,” he admitted, still processing the win.
This was Faizan’s fourth time competing at the national level. Last year, he was edged out in a tiebreaker round by his friend Bruhat Soma, who humorously remarked, “I think he cared too much about his aura.”
His father’s praise summed up the family’s pride: “He’s the GOAT. He knows the dictionary like the back of his hand.”
Faizan’s story is not just one of victory—it’s an inspiration to all young spellers striving to master the power of words.
