Plano Teen Shines as Lone Star Hope in 100th Scripps Spelling Bee
It’s been a thrilling week for spelling enthusiasts across the nation as the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee unfolded in National Harbor, Maryland. Among the 243 top-tier young spellers, one state stood tall with sheer determination—Texas. With 22 talented participants representing the Lone Star State, all eyes were fixed on this year’s promising contenders, especially one standout: 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Plano.
As the competition narrowed, the pressure mounted. By the end of the 10th round, only nine spellers were still in the running—and just one from Texas. That one was Zaki, a seasoned competitor in his fourth appearance at the national stage. After tying for 370th in 2019, climbing to 21st in 2023, and securing a dramatic second-place finish in 2024, Faizan returned with experience, resilience, and an eye on the championship trophy—the coveted Scripps Cup.
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A 7th grader at C.M. Rice Middle School, Zaki isn’t just about spelling. When he’s not memorizing roots and suffixes, he dives into video games, masters the Rubik’s Cube, and plays the viola. Sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission, he’s the only finalist this year returning from the 2024 top group. With one year of eligibility left, his journey isn't just a story of letters and definitions—it's one of grit and growth.
Zaki wasn’t alone in the early rounds. He was joined by three other talented spellers from North Texas—Shreyansh Zadoo of Van Alstyne, Avishka Dudala of Prosper, and Brihasa Veduru of Keller. All showed immense promise but were eventually eliminated in rounds seven and ten, their performances still a testament to their skill and poise under pressure.
Texas has historically been a powerhouse in the Bee, with 16 national champions, the most of any state. The last to win it all was Harini Logan of San Antonio in 2022. North Texas last tasted victory in 2019, thanks to Rohan Raja of Dallas. Faizan Zaki’s continued excellence keeps that proud tradition alive.
Every speller walks away with mementos marking their achievement, from certificates and commemorative medals to cash prizes and subscriptions that honor their academic efforts. But for finalists like Zaki, the stakes rise to life-changing levels, with top prizes reaching up to $50,000 and the national spotlight shining brightly.
In this centennial year of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Faizan Zaki’s journey captures more than just competition—it’s about persistence, passion, and the enduring power of words. Whether or not he clinches the title, Texas couldn’t have asked for a better representative.
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