14-Year-Old Makes History as the First African-American to Win the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee champion says she studies 13,000 words in a day
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Zaila Avant-Garde, a 14-year-old prodigy from New Orleans, achieved a historic victory by becoming the first African-American to win the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. In a thrilling and closely watched competition, she clinched the title by correctly spelling the botanical term "Murraya."
The Scripps National Spelling Bee finals were broadcast live on ESPN, complete with play-by-play commentary and participant interviews. This year's event, held at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, marked a return to the live audience after it was postponed in the previous year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Zaila Avant-Garde's victory marks a significant milestone, as the last Black contestant to win the competition was Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica in 1998. Notably, Avant-Garde is not only an exceptional speller but also a highly skilled basketball player, holding several Guinness World Records for simultaneously dribbling multiple basketballs.
Despite facing challenges with the word "Nepeta," which belongs to a different plant genus, Avant-Garde displayed remarkable composure and even shared lighthearted moments with the judges and moderators. She momentarily paused during the word, gathered herself, resumed spelling, and successfully nailed the second 'e.' Her elation was evident as she jumped up and down on the stage upon receiving confirmation of her correct spelling.
In a valiant effort, 12-year-old Chaitra Thummala of San Francisco secured the second-place position and received a cash prize of $25,000, despite a misspelling of "neroli oil."
Bhavana Madini, a 13-year-old from New York, finished in third place, earning a $15,000 award. She stumbled on the word "athanor," a type of furnace.
Zaila Avant-Garde's historic win will undoubtedly be celebrated, as it breaks the tradition of competitors of Indian descent dominating the Scripps National Spelling Bee. In a pre-finals interview with the Associated Press, she expressed her hope to inspire other African Americans who may not have access to the resources required for competitive spelling.
This year's competition marked a shift from the 2019 "octo-champs" event, where eight champions shared the title. To avoid multiple co-winners, the 2021 tournament implemented stricter rules.
