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.
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