Faizan Zaki Wins the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee
About the People Mentioned
Faizan Zaki
Faizan Zaki is a 13-year-old student from Allen, Texas, who gained national recognition by winning the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He is a seventh-grader at C.M. Rice Middle School in the Dallas area. Zaki's journey in the spelling bee began at a young age, and he has been consistently improving his performance over the years. His first appearance at the national level was in 2019, where he finished 370th. By 2023, he had advanced to 21st place, and in 2024, he came close to winning, finishing as the runner-up in a spell-off. Zaki's determination and perseverance paid off when he correctly spelled "éclaircissement" in the final round of the 2025 competition, securing the championship title. This achievement marked him as only the fifth speller in the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee to win after coming in second place the previous year. His victory was celebrated as a testament to his hard work and focus, attributes that Adam Symson, CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, highlighted during the presentation of the championship trophy. As a champion, Zaki received a cash prize of $50,000 along with a commemorative medal. His success has drawn attention to the consistent excellence of participants from diverse backgrounds in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Zaki's achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the broader trend of academic excellence among young students in competitive events. His story serves as an inspiration for many, emphasizing the importance of dedication and resilience in achieving success.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the United States’ longest-running and largest educational program, founded in 1925 by a consortium of nine newspapers, including The Courier Journal of Louisville, Kentucky. Originally conceived as a literacy initiative, the Bee has evolved into a celebrated American tradition, inspiring millions of students annually to participate in classroom, regional, and national spelling competitions. The Scripps Howard News Service took over sponsorship in 1941, renaming it the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2004, and has since expanded its reach and impact. The Bee’s mission is to promote literacy, academic achievement, and lifelong curiosity through the exploration of words. Each year, students from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and several international countries—including Canada, New Zealand, and Jamaica—compete for the national title. The competition’s rigorous format, judged by the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, has seen word difficulty escalate over the decades, reflecting the increasing sophistication of contestants. In 2019, an unprecedented eight spellers were crowned co-champions after organizers exhausted their list of challenging words. The Bee’s championship rounds have been broadcast live on major networks, including ESPN and ABC, and in 2022, the finals moved to Scripps-owned television channels, showcasing the organization’s adaptability to changing media landscapes. The 2025 competition marked the Bee’s 100th anniversary, with 243 top spellers converging in National Harbor, Maryland, to celebrate a century of words and learning. Notable achievements include the Bee’s expansion to over 200 contestants by the late 20th century and the crowning of its first non-American winner, Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica, in 1998. The Bee’s enduring legacy is a testament to its ability to inspire excellence, foster community, and adapt to technological and cultural shifts, making it a
